NAIROBI, Kenya — The government has launched a nationwide push to register thousands of secondary school students for National Identity Cards, marking the first major ID registration drive targeting learners in years.
In a directive issued to all Regional and County Directors of Education, schools have been instructed to coordinate with immigration officials to ensure eligible students are issued IDs before completing their studies.
The campaign, running through the current school term (May–August), is being spearheaded by the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
“This initiative is designed to ensure that Kenyan students who have attained the age of 18 are registered for National Identity Cards while still in school, enabling them to access tertiary education placements, job opportunities, and financial aid such as HELB loans without delay,” reads a circular signed by Julius Bitok, the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, dated May 29.
In a shift from standard practice, school principals or their deputies will now serve as official identification agents for students—roles typically held by local administration officers under the National Government Administration Office (NGAO).
The move is intended to streamline verification and ease access for students.
Education officials across the country have been tasked with coordinating closely with registration officers to oversee the process in all secondary schools.
Officials say the exercise will remove a key barrier for school leavers, many of whom face delays in accessing college admissions, job offers, and government services due to the lack of an ID.
But while the government frames the drive as a service reform, it also arrives at a politically charged moment.
With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the mass registration of 18-year-olds—most of whom will be first-time voters—could shift the electoral landscape.
Political analysts have noted the growing interest in Kenya’s youth vote, with parties already positioning themselves to court young voters. National IDs are a prerequisite for voter registration.
