The high court has issued a stop to the implementation of the new gazette notice issued by the Interior Ministry. The notice that directed the increment of charges of IDs and Passports in both acquiring and replacing them. Thus court suspends ID Passport Charges implementation
Justice Lawrence Mugambi gave that order following a petition by a Nakuru surgeon, Magare Gikenyi. The petitioner in his part said the charges were capricious and out of reach of many Kenyans.
Labelling the case as urgent, the judge ordered to a stop at the implementation of the gazette notice pending hearing of the case. The case was then set for hearing on November 29th.
Thr notice had said that National IDs that were previously free will cost 1000 bob to apply for a new one. For those who’ve lost their IDs will be required to part with Ksh 2000 for the same. A service that was previously Ksh 100.
Passports were hugely affected by the hike. Both in acquiring and replacing them. An ordinary 66-page passport that previously cost kenyans at Ksh 7,500 has been moved to Ksh 12,000. A 34-page passport that previously went for Ksh 4,500 has moved to Ksh 7,500.
READ: Government Hikes ID, Passport And Visa Fees
The Order read: “A conservatory order be and is hereby issued suspending Gazette Notices No. 15239-15249 dated November 6, 2023, and any other document purporting to give authority to increase or review the charges/fees/levies specified therein pending the hearing and determination of the application inter-partes.
Among those who will be served are Cabinet Secretaries Njuguna Ndungu of the Treasury, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, the National Assembly and the Attorney General. They are to be served within three days.
Further directions will be issued on November 29th after the hearing of both parties involved in the hike and those challenging it. This will be before a court of law.
READ MORE: