Government imposes new levies yet again
The government has imposed a charge for national identity cards, provoking the anger of several citizens.
Kenyans have been acquiring ID cards for free upon reaching 18, but new applicants will now be forced to pay a fee of 1,000 Kenyan shillings for the same.
The cost of replacing ID cards has increased from 100 shillings to 2,000 shillings.
The new charges have ignited widespread outcry among Kenyans amid spiralling cost of living crisis.
The new changes were announced overnight without any advance notice getting many Kenyans unaware.
The revised charges also affect other government-issued documents, like passports, marriage, birth and death certificates, work and residence permits.
Obtaining or replacing various categories of passports will cost more than 50% more, while the fees for obtaining birth and death certificates has reached 200 shillings.
Marriage certificates will now cost 100,000 shillings, three times the previous amount, while the cost of civil weddings has risen from 5,000 to 50,000 shillings.
The government has also hiked the cost of acquiring citizenship or residence, including doubling the amount payable for children born to Kenyan citizens abroad to acquire permanent residence in Kenya to one million shillings.
Government imposes new levies yet again
The hikes are the latest in a series of revenue-generating measures introduced by the administration of President William Ruto one year since he came into power last year August.
Many Kenyans have complained about paying higher for government services that they believe are already funded by their taxes.
The substantial and abrupt increases have raised concerns that they could create barriers for poorer Kenyans to access government services or participate in processes that require government documents, such as voting and marriage.
Most Kenyans live under the poverty line, spending less than 500 shillings a day.
Some politicians have also criticised the price hikes, while some government officials have disputed them.
Since coming to power, President Ruto’s government has increased taxes on necessities like fuel, among other charges on several services offered by the government, such as entry to national parks.
Government imposes new levies yet again
These measures have had a spiralling effect on transport, electricity and commodity prices.
President Ruto is yet to release his first state of the nation address tomorrow, outlining some of the achievements by his administration over the past year and the measures he proposes to take to tackle debt and the high cost of living.
