During his visit to Kibra today, President William Ruto made a surprising announcement: he said that Kenyans will no longer have to pay for their national identification cards.
This decision made many residents happy and aims to help millions of Kenyans who have struggled to get IDs because of costs.
While speaking to a crowd in Kibra, which is an informal settlement, Ruto stressed that his government wants to make life easier for everyone.
He said, “No Kenyan should be denied their identity or rights because of money. Today, we lift that burden.” He was joined by local leaders and government officials when he made this statement.
Before this change, people had to pay between KSh 100 and KSh 300 to replace or renew their IDs, which many low-income individuals found too expensive.
This new policy is expected to help communities like Kibra, where getting important documents has been a challenge for voting, jobs, and social services.
Government sources said that the free ID program will start across the country in just a few weeks, but there are still concerns about how the program will be funded and how it will be put into place.
Opposition leaders welcomed the news but urged everyone to stay alert to ensure it is not just a political move before the upcoming elections.
Residents of Kibra felt relieved. One local resident, Mary Wanjiku, said, “This ID means everything—now I can finally register for my benefits without stress.”
As the news spread, many people began to line up at registration centers, showing how quickly Ruto’s announcement affected the community.
