Kenyans are granted time until December 8, 2023, to express their opinions regarding the suggested additional fees related to passports and identification documents.

This aligns with an instruction given by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki last week, emphasizing that public involvement in the suggested charges must occur promptly, with the deadline set for December 10.
According to an announcement on Monday, Julius Bitok, the Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizens Services, conveyed that submissions can be made either in person or through digital means.
“The State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services invites views and proposals from the public and other stakeholders on the intended revision for consideration,” reads the notice.
“Views and proposals can be submitted in writing through memoranda marked “Public Participation on New charges” and dropped off at the following locations.”
The designated places encompass Nyayo House’s ground floor, as well as the offices of Regional Commissioners, county commissioners, or deputy county commissioners throughout the nation.
Alternatively, submissions can be sent via email to info.citizenservices@interior.go.ke.
Recent actions by CS Kindiki involved the annulment of the prior Gazette Notice. Instead, a new one was issued, introducing a proposal for altered charges, contingent on public engagement.
Under this proposition, individuals in Kenya aiming to obtain a new ID will now be obligated to remit Sh300, as opposed to the previously published Sh1,000 mandated by the State.
For those in financial need, such as orphans and individuals proving extreme poverty, the government will cover the Sh300 fee required for the new ID.
“On the particular issue of acquisition of National Identity Cards by previously not registered citizens, the government shall defray the costs of the revised charges, fees and levies through a waiver for indigent Kenyans who demonstrate inability to pay,” Kindiki said.
According to the updated plan, Kenyans will now incur a fee of Sh1,000 instead of the previously stated Sh2,000 to replace lost IDs, as indicated in the rescinded Gazette Notice.
The charge for modifying ID details remains constant at the initial amount of Sh1,000.
Individuals requesting Identification Reports will now be required to pay Sh1,000, a significant increase from the initial fee of Sh300.
In the new proposal, Civil Servants cards will be priced at Sh1,000, a substantial rise from the previous Sh100.
Staff badges, under the updated plan, will now amount to Sh1,000, nearly three times the original cost.
Notably, the suggested fees for Passports have remained consistent with those outlined in the repealed gazette notice.
For instance, the ordinary passport (34 pages) previously priced at Sh4,500 will now cost Sh7,500. The 50-page passport will be Sh9,500, up from the current Sh6,000, and the 66-page passport is proposed to cost Sh12,500, an increase from the current Sh7,500.
In the latest proposal, the expense for replacing a lost passport would be Sh20,000, surpassing the current charge of Sh12,000 imposed by the Immigration Department.
Opting for a 50-page diplomatic passport under the updated plan would incur a cost of Sh15,000, doubling the previous fee.
Furthermore, the CS has upheld the raise in fees for birth and death certificates, elevating it from Sh50 to Sh200 in the new proposition.