President William Ruto has urged Kenyans without National Identification Cards to take advantage of the government’s waiver on application charges to acquire the crucial national document.
The President said the fees previously required to obtain an ID card have been scrapped.
He pointed out that the KSh1,000 fee for replacing a lost ID has also been waived.
On Thursday, the government gazetted a six-month waiver on fees for the replacement of identification cards and change of particulars under the new Registration of Persons (Amendment) Rules, 2025.
“You do not have a reason not to have a national identification card,” he said.
Speaking on Saturday during a development tour of Vihiga County, President Ruto called on leaders to work together to enhance national unity and development across the country.
“It is our responsibility and duty as leaders to unite the people of Kenya beyond tribe, religion, and region so that we can work together as one nation with a common destiny,” he said.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to uniting Kenyans and rallying them behind the country’s transformation agenda.
He also urged Kenyans to register with the Social Health Authority to ensure that no one is forced to sell their property to access medical treatment.
The President warned healthcare facilities till demanding money from Kenyans seeking outpatient services, saying funds have already been allocated for that purpose.
“You cannot ask Kenyans for money we have already allocated in our budget, and we will pay you as government,” he said.
The President launched the construction of a 340-bed student hostel at Ebukanga Technical and Vocational College in Emuhaya, Vihiga County.
He said the project is part of a national effort to provide decent housing to students at universities, TTI and other colleges. In Vihiga, the hostels being built have a total capacity of 4,500 beds.
President Ruto also flagged off the KSh1.1 billion Vihiga Last Mile Connectivity Project, which will connect over 15,000 households to electricity.
At the same time, the President announced that the government is building 10 markets in Vihiga County at a cost of KSh2 billion to ensure farmers have well-equipped trading facilities.
Additionally, the government will build a KSh900 million stadium at Kidundu in the county.
“In January, I will be here to launch the construction of this stadium,” he said.
Governor Wilberforce Ottichilo commended the government for initiating projects and programmes that are transforming the county.
He pledged his support for the government and reaffirmed his commitment to the broad-based administration.
“I want to assure you, Mr President, that we are in the broad-based government,” he said.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, MPs and MCAs, among other leaders, were present.
