Friday, May 20, 2011

Kenyans to pay Sh300 to replace lost ID card

Replacing a lost national identity card will now cost Sh300. Previously it was free.
Replacing a lost national identity card will now cost Sh300. Previously it was free.
By Caroline Wafula cwafula@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Thursday, May 19 2011 at 22:00
In Summary
  • Kajwang’ says the new measure will cut costs as holders will be more careful in handling it

Replacing a lost national identity card will now cost Sh300. Previously it was free.
Immigration and Registration of Persons minister Otieno Kajwang’ said in Parliament on Thursday, charging Sh300 was designed to encourage ID holders to be more careful in handling the document.
Mr Kajwang’ said the money is a small fraction of the cost of producing a single card.
He said it would cost at least Sh1,000 to produce a third generation ID.
Describing the ID as a “very expensive” right, the minister said his ministry wanted to ensure that everyone had the document and this could be made easier if more resources and time was spent issuing new ones instead of replacements lost ones.
“It is a very precious document, and if you lose it we will ask you to pay only a fraction,” he said.
Mr Kajwang’ was responding to questions in parliament after a question by Emuhaya MP Wilbur Ottichilo (ODM). Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto (ODM) said it was unfair to ask Kenyans to pay Sh300 as many were struggling to survive.
“The poverty level is so high. How can you set a replacement fee of such an important document at Sh300? Kenyans cannot afford this and this is a very callous decision. The ID is a right and not a privilege,” Mr Ruto said.
But the minister insisted that holders must take good care of the document if they wanted to avoid paying the replacement cost.
“It is not about poverty but about taking good care of the document,” he declared.
Dr Ottichilo had told the minister that Emuhaya residents travel more than 30 kilometres to either Mbale or Kakamega to apply for birth certificates and that they are charged for the application forms.
Mr Kajwang’ said the ministry would start issuing birth certificates in schools.
The process would be coordinated by headteachers and assistant chiefs.
“If we can register all children in one year then we will not have this problem for six years,” he said.

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