Kenya Rolls Out National ID Registration for High School Students

The Kenyan government has launched a nationwide initiative to issue national identity cards to secondary school students aged 18 and above, aiming to equip young citizens with vital documentation before they complete their education.

The programme, led by the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services through the National Registration Bureau (NRB), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, targets seniors in public and private high schools to streamline their transition into adulthood, higher education, and the workforce.

As part of the plan, secondary schools across the country will serve as registration centres where students can apply for the ID, eliminating the need for them to visit government offices after or before schooling.

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School principals and deputy principals have been given the role of official identification agents, taking over the verification duties previously handled by National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs).

“You are, therefore, requested to urgently notify all secondary school principals within your jurisdiction to collaborate with County and Deputy County Registration Officers for the successful implementation of the exercise in their schools,” said Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok in a memo to school heads.

They will be tasked with verifying eligibility through school records and proof of residency from now until August, when the programme will end.

The new move has stirred some debate, particularly in light of recent directives from President William Ruto to remove additional vetting requirements for ID and birth certificate issuance in border counties, especially in the northeastern region.

Some citizens have raised concerns about possible weaknesses in the verification process, warning of risks like fraud or misuse.

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