The government is revamping the national identity card system, introducing faster processing times that allow new applicants to obtain their ID cards in just one day.

This reform is designed to enhance public service efficiency, minimise bureaucratic delays, and provide citizens with quicker access to essential identification documents.

In a press briefing on Friday, April 3, 2026, Immigration Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said the changes follow heavy investment in modern technology, which has streamlined the application and production process across the country.

“Our cards are now delivered between three and seven days, and if you are in Nairobi, you can even get them the same day. The level of technology we have invested in has made the process very fast and efficient,” Kipsang said.

The PS revealed that applicants in Nairobi can now receive their IDs on the same day they apply, a development expected to ease access to essential services.

For those outside the capital, the processing timeline has also been significantly reduced, with applicants expected to receive their IDs within three to seven days.

Kipsang also asserted that the government has scrapped all fees related to ID applications and replacements, following a directive by the President to waive the previous charges of Ksh300 for new applications and Ksh1,000 for replacements.

Moreover, he dismissed claims that the government is issuing national IDs to foreigners to influence the 2027 General Election, terming the accusations as unfounded.

Citizens services

He clarified that foreigners residing in Kenya, including refugees and asylum seekers, are issued alien cards through a separate legal process, which does not grant them voting rights.

“For foreigners, there is a clear process they must follow. Refugees are issued with alien cards, not national IDs, and without a Kenyan ID, one cannot vote,” he explained.

The clarification came amid growing political debate over the removal of vetting requirements for new ID applicants, with the government maintaining that the previous system led to discrimination and unnecessary delays for many Kenyans.

Meanwhile, the government, via Huduma Kenya, has urged citizens to retrieve their unclaimed identification documents, such as national IDs, smart driving licences, and birth certificates, from service centres nationwide.

On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Huduma Kenya disclosed that thousands of essential personal documents remain uncollected, sparking concerns about the efficiency of application processing and delivery timelines.

The agency reported that over 152,000 national IDs, 85,550 smart driving licences, and 28,550 birth certificates are still awaiting collection at government offices across the country.