CS Kindiki revokes Gazette Notice on New Citizenship and Immigration fees, revises charges

Nairobi, 

Tuesday, 14 November, 2023. 

McCreadie Andias 

Interior CS Prof Kithure Kindiki has issued a new notice revising the charges in Citizenship and Immigration fees while revoking the Previous Gazette Notice 

"It is noticed for information of the General public that Kenya Gazette Notice No. 15239 of 2023, 15240 of 2023,15241 of 2023 and 15242 of 2023 in the special issue of the Kenya Gazette Vol. CXXV-No 129 dated November 7, 2023 published by the Cabinet Secretary for interior and National Administration relating to upward revision of charges, fees and levies for various services provided by the state Department for Immigration and citizen services has been revoked to allow public participation on the matter. " The new Notice read. 

The Ministry of Interior and National Administration had issued the Notice on 7th,November 2023 revising some of its fees including increase of Passport application charges from Ksh 4500 to Ksh 7500,Increase in charges for ID card renewal from Ksh 100 to Ksh 2000, Introduction of ID application fees at Ksh 1000, Increased charges for birth certificate application from Ksh 50 to Ksh 200 amongst many other contentious changes. 

The Changes had raised nationwide public uproar with many decrying the changes too sudden and expensive. 

The High Court had suspended the implementation of the Gazette Notice on Thursday last week following a filed motion against its implementation. 

CS Kindiki has issued revised charges which will be effective from January 1, 2024 whilst at the same time given the space for public participation to offer reviews not until December 10 ,2023.

Among the revised changes include First time ID registration at Ksh 300, and ID renewal at Ksh 1000 from previously proposed Ksh 2000. 

The Government has however not revised some of the new levies for instance Birth certificate application fees will proceed at Ksh 200 as recently proposed. 

The government says citizens had already started giving reviews on the previous notice which necessitated its revocation. 

Furthermore, Citizens who might have not acquired IDs Previously and show incapability to pay for the levies, fees or charges for acquisition will be considered on a waiver to aquire the IDs.