Police chiefs have been issued with 3rd generation Identity (ID) card, the Maisha Card, to show confidence in national registration reforms.
Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, and Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) Gilbert Masengeli (APS) and Eliud Lagat (KPS), all visited the National Registration Bureau (NRB) in Nairobi on Wednesday afternoon.
The visits were conducted independently, according to the department of registration, and reflect the commitment of Kenya’s security leadership to a secure, modern identification system.
The visit underscored a strengthened partnership between NRB and the National Police service, as both the IG and the DIGs were received by NRB Secretary Christopher Wanjau and guided through the streamlined process for replacing old national IDs with the Maisha card.
“The introduction of the 3rd generation ID has marked a major step towards a secure and modern identification system,” NBS said in a statement.
The Maisha card is designed to curb insecurity and identity theft by enabling timely sharing of information with relevant authorities and by strengthening forensic identification through fingerprint data, in full alignment with the Registration of Persons Act (CAP 107)
This visit comes as NRB continues its nationwide sensitisation programme for NGAOs on the revised guidelines launched by President William Ruto on 5th February 2025.
The sensitisation has already been carried out in Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta and Narok counties, with plans to extend to other counties.
This initiative follows a recent Gazette notice by the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, waiving fees for the replacement of ID cards and change of particulars for six months, effective October 30, 2025.
The directive supports President William Ruto’s commitment to ensure that every Kenyan acquires this essential document, a gateway to government services and socio-economic opportunities.
The state department of Immigration and Citizen Services under PS Belio Kipsang said among key reforms implemented include fee waiver for ID replacements and change of particulars, free issuance of IDs to first-time applicants, abolition of extra-vetting for border counties and removal of birth certificate authentication fees when applying for IDs and passports.
“Citizens are urged to take advantage of the fee waiver and apply for IDs. The government remains committed to delivering a secure, efficient, and citizen-friendly identification system, leaving no Kenyan behind.”
