State to Issue Learners IDs in Schools: A Major Shift in Youth Registration.
The Kenyan government has launched a school-based ID registration drive to simplify the process for students aged 18 and above. Secondary school principals will now act as identification agents, replacing chiefs and National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs).
Traditionally, young adults struggle to obtain national identity cards due to bureaucratic delays. This initiative aims to eliminate obstacles, ensuring students receive their IDs while still in school.
According to the Economic Survey 2025, 4.32 million learners are enrolled in secondary schools, marking a 5.2% increase from 2024. However, many have not yet turned 18, meaning the full impact of this initiative will unfold gradually.
The mobile ID registration campaign will run during the second school term (May–August 2025). The State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, through the National Registration Bureau (NRB), will oversee the process.
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Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Prof. Julius Bitok, emphasized that the initiative will enable students to access tertiary education placements, job opportunities, and financial aid such as HELB loans without unnecessary delays.
The timing of this initiative aligns with political efforts to engage youth ahead of the 2027 elections. In 2024, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi introduced the Registration of Persons (Amendment) Bill, seeking to allow students aged 18 and above to register as voters while still in school.
To ensure smooth implementation, the Ministry of Education has directed regional and county directors to notify school principals about their new role. Principals and their deputies will serve as identification agents, verifying student details before ID issuance.
If successful, this school-based registration drive will:
- Reduce delays in ID issuance
- Streamline transitions from secondary school to higher education and employment
- Increase voter registration among young adults
In February 2025, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced plans for automatic ID issuance upon turning 18, based on birth registration data. He assured the public that the process would be secure and non-discriminatory.
The school-based ID registration initiative marks a significant shift in Kenya’s approach to youth documentation. By decentralizing ID services, the government aims to eliminate bureaucratic barriers and empower young citizens.
State to Issue Learners IDs in Schools: A Major Shift in Youth Registration.