Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered the immediate release of national identity cards held by money lenders and other individuals, warning that those who fail to comply will face prosecution.
Speaking during the inauguration of Nuu Sub-County in Kitui County, Murkomen said the practice of holding IDs as collateral for debts or services is illegal and must stop without delay.
He emphasised that national identity cards are not a form of legal tender and cannot be used as security in financial or informal transactions.
“The National ID is not a legal tender. I want to direct all people who have held any person’s ID for an exchange of a service or good to return it to the owners with immediate effect,” Murkomen said.
The CS noted that the problem is widespread, with IDs reportedly being held by shylocks, hospitals over unpaid medical bills, shopkeepers offering goods on credit, and even illicit alcohol dens where individuals consume services on credit.
Murkomen warned that the continued withholding of identification documents denies citizens access to critical services, including voter registration, which is currently ongoing across the country.
He pointed out that the government is currently issuing national ID cards free of charge, removing the previous Ksh1,000 application fee, in a bid to encourage more Kenyans to register as voters ahead of upcoming electoral processes.
The CS further revealed that processing time for new IDs has been significantly reduced, with applicants now able to receive their documents within five days. He urged those who have lost their IDs or are yet to apply to take advantage of the streamlined system.
The directive comes amid efforts by the government to enhance access to identification services and ensure all eligible citizens are registered, particularly during the ongoing voter registration exercise.
Murkomen also linked the directive to broader government reforms aimed at improving service delivery at the grassroots level. The inauguration of Nuu Sub-County, he said, is part of efforts to decentralise services and bring government closer to the people.
He added that plans are underway to standardise the creation of administrative units, with the government set to operationalise already gazetted units as resources become available.
The CS reiterated that enforcement agencies will act against individuals found violating the directive, signalling a firm stance against the misuse of national identification documents.
