Courts stop Kindiki from hiking costs of Kenyan identification documents

A Kenyan court has stopped the government from implementing new charges for ID cards and passports. The order came after a surgeon challenged the charges, saying they were unfair and unaffordable for many Kenyans.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi of the High Court in Nairobi issued the order on November 9, following a petition by Dr. Magare Gikenyi. Gikenyi had asked the court to block the new charges, which were announced by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on November 6.

Under the new charges, first-time applicants for ID cards would have to pay Sh1,000, while those replacing lost cards would have to pay Sh2,000. This is a 20-fold increase from the previous fee of Sh100.

Gikenyi argued in his petition that the new charges were “capricious and out of reach of many ordinary citizens.” He also said that the government had introduced the charges without any public consultation.

Justice Mugambi agreed with Gikenyi and issued a conservatory order suspending the new charges pending the hearing and determination of the petition. The court directed that the government be served with the order within three days and set the matter for mention on November 29 for further directions.

This is a significant victory for Kenyans, as ID cards and passports are essential documents for accessing government services, voting, and traveling. The new charges would have made it difficult for many Kenyans to obtain these documents.