IDs to Be Issued in Schools
Students aged 18 and above are set to have national ID cards registered for them at school. The move has been approved by the Ministry of Education. It is being carried out with the National Registration Bureau.
Basic Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa said registration teams will visit secondary schools across Kenya. The exercise began on August 31. It will run until October 16, 2026.
“This is to confirm that this office has considered and granted approval,” Ololtuaa said.
The approval was given to allow registration officers into schools. Eligible students will then be assisted with ID applications.
Exams Were Considered
The timing was chosen with school schedules in mind. National examinations are expected later in the school year. Ololtuaa said the exercise had been planned to avoid disrupting learning and exam preparations.
School heads will be expected to help registration teams. Regional education officials will also help coordinate access. The school visits are meant to save students long trips. Some learners live far from registration centres.
The approach could also make the process easier. Students will not have to leave school simply to apply for an ID.
Election Registration Ahead
The drive comes before the 2027 General Election. National identification is required before voter registration can be completed.
An ID alone, however, does not make someone a voter. Eligible citizens must still register separately with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. The electoral commission has been preparing for a larger voter roll. About 22.1 million people were registered for the 2022 election.
The number is expected to rise by 2027. The target has been put at about 28.5 million voters.
Access Remains the Focus
The school-based programme is being presented as an access measure. It is expected to reach students who might otherwise delay getting an ID. For many young Kenyans, the document is needed beyond elections. It is used when accessing a range of public services.
The registration will therefore have effects beyond the 2027 vote. It could also make it easier for young adults to obtain other services that require identification.
The Ministry has asked school administrators to support the exercise. Learning and examination preparations are not expected to be disrupted.
For students who have already reached 18, the message is simple. Registration teams are coming to them.
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