After years of confusion, chaos, and Kenyans giving up on ever seeing their IDs again, the Ministry of Interior finally has some news. The department of National Registration has officially cleared the infamous backlog of duplicate Identification Cards (IDs). Yes, you read that right! Now, they’re politely asking Kenyans to pop by their nearest Huduma Centers and collect those IDs that have probably aged like fine wine in a government drawer somewhere.
In a statement that could almost be considered apologetic (almost), Huduma Kenya declared, "Hey, Kenyans, your IDs are ready! Come and get them." But of course, there’s a catch – this is Kenya, after all. The once "affordable" fee of Ksh100 for replacing a lost ID has now morphed into a jaw-dropping Ksh1,000. The government assures us that this steep hike is to cover "expenses." You know, because printing plastic cards is clearly the height of economic strain.
An Expensive Little Plastic Card
For those unfamiliar with the art of losing an ID (which is practically a rite of passage in Kenya), a duplicate ID is what you get after you've misplaced the original and suffered through the bureaucratic maze to replace it. Now, thanks to President William Ruto’s relentless hunt for revenue, Kenyans can enjoy this experience for only ten times the original price! A true bargain, right?
Not surprisingly, this fee increase has left Kenyans less than thrilled. Many are now wondering if they should just live off the grid rather than pay Ksh1,000 for a card that might end up lost again. Meanwhile, the government maintains that the price hike is all in the name of "national security" and keeping our national ID system intact – because, clearly, nothing says secure like a price increase.
Kenyans who’ve been stuck without their IDs for months (or even years) can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The backlog is gone, and with it, the endless delays that left citizens unable to access essential government services. And for those nostalgic for the days when IDs were stuck in limbo, fear not – the government has promised to phase out the current cards for some shiny new ones soon enough.
So, if you’re one of the lucky few who remember applying for a duplicate ID, head over to your local Huduma Center. Just don’t forget your wallet – after all, this little plastic card will now set you back a cool Ksh1,000. But hey, at least you'll have a great story to tell about how you survived the great ID crisis of the 2020s.
