Kenyan citizens are now facing higher costs for obtaining identification cards (IDs) and passports, as the Ministry of Interior recently i...
Kenyan citizens are now facing higher costs for obtaining identification cards (IDs) and passports, as the Ministry of Interior recently increased fees starting March 1, 2024. This decision, prompted by the revised fees published on November 14, 2023, has raised concerns among citizens already facing economic challenges.
“You may recall that the effective date for implementing these charges was January 1, 2024. However, the said charges were to be subjected to public participation before taking place. The purpose of this circular is, therefore, to inform you that from March 1, 2024, the revised charges, fees, and levies take effect, and all our services will be charged accordingly,”
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said.
ID and Passports Hike
Previously free, national identification cards will now cost Ksh.300. This change surprised citizens accustomed to free IDs, and the replacement fee for a lost ID has sharply risen to Ksh.1,000 from Ksh.100.
Essential documents like birth and death certificates have also seen significant increases. The price for a birth or death certificate has jumped from Ksh.50 to Ksh.200, and late registration will now cost Ksh.500, up from Ksh.150.
Passport-related services have undergone fee hikes as well. New passport applicants now face a 75% increase, with the ordinary 34-page passport rising from Ksh.4,500 to Ksh.7,500. The 50-page passport costs Ksh.9,500, up from Ksh.6,000, and the 66-page passport is now Ksh.12,500, compared to the previous Ksh.7,500. Replacing a lost or mutilated passport comes with charges of Ksh.20,000 and Ksh.10,000, respectively. Additionally, an express passport now costs Ksh.30,000.
Citizenship and Visa Fees Hike
Regaining citizenship after renouncing it will cost ten times more, increasing from Ksh.5,000 to Ksh.50,000. This fee also applies to renunciation and obtaining citizenship for a spouse from East African Community countries.
Foreigners visiting the country will face higher visa fees, with a single-entry visa now costing $100, up from $50, and a multiple-entry visa rising to $500 from $100. The cost of a transit visa has increased from $20 to $50.
Permanent residence applications for Kenyan children born outside the country and in countries prohibiting dual citizenship have increased to Ksh.750,000 from Ksh.500,000. Similarly, spouses of Kenyan citizens seeking permanent residence will now pay Ksh.150,000, up from Ksh.50,000.
The announcement of these steep increases has sparked public outcry, with citizens expressing concerns over the financial strain on struggling households. Critics argue that these hikes may disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, limiting access to essential government services. As of now, the Ministry of Interior has not responded to these concerns, leaving Kenyans anxious about the broader implications of these fee adjustments on their daily lives.
By Vivian K.
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