President William Ruto has announced the waiver of national identification card replacement fees in a bold move aimed at ensuring that every eligible Kenyan has the opportunity to register as a voter ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking during the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) centenary celebrations in Nyang’ori, Vihiga County, the Head of State said the government will absorb the cost of replacing lost or damaged IDs until after the elections.
“We will make sure no one is denied the opportunity to register as a voter because of lacking an identification card,” said President Ruto.
He explained that the replacement fee had originally been introduced to deter abuse of the service, but said the temporary waiver was a necessary step to guarantee inclusivity in the democratic process.
The President was accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Governors Ken Lusaka (Bungoma) and Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), Members of Parliament, and local leaders.
Two Strategic Funds to Power Kenya’s Future
In his address, President Ruto revealed that the government is establishing two major financial instruments — the Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund — to accelerate Kenya’s economic transformation and secure its long-term future.
He said the Infrastructure Fund will be central to financing agricultural modernisation, irrigation, value addition, and agro-processing. It will also support industrialisation, manufacturing, and power generation to meet the country’s growing energy needs.
“Currently, Kenya generates only 2,300 megawatts, which is not enough to take Kenya to the next level. A minimum of 10,000MW is needed if we are to transform this country into an industrialised nation,” he noted.
The fund will further finance expansion of major road networks — including dual carriageways and rural access roads — to connect farmers to markets and stimulate regional growth.
On the Sovereign Wealth Fund, President Ruto said Kenya must adopt a culture of saving for the future rather than consuming all its resources in the present.
“We must save for tomorrow and not eat everything today,” he said, emphasising that such funds are vital for stabilising economies and generating sustainable wealth.
Healthcare, Privatisation, and Social Protection
Turning to the health sector, President Ruto warned public health facilities against charging Kenyans for outpatient services, noting that the government is already meeting the costs.
He revealed that the State has paid health insurance premiums for 2.5 million vulnerable Kenyans under the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme, underscoring the administration’s commitment to universal healthcare.
“As Government, we have disbursed KSh3.7 billion to pay for those who are unable to meet their SHA premiums,” he said.
The President also commended Parliament for approving Sessional Paper No. 2 of 2025, paving the way for the privatisation of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) — a move expected to raise KSh130 billion to support national development.
Calls for Unity and Participation
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi praised President Ruto for championing Kenya’s and Africa’s agenda on the global stage, citing his recent address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
He urged residents of Western Kenya to rally behind the President’s transformation agenda and lauded the emerging spirit of cooperation between Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
“The absence of peace is chaos. The absence of order is disorder,” Mudavadi observed, stressing that national unity remains key to progress.
Governor Wilber Ottichilo reaffirmed that development projects agreed upon with the national government are being implemented in Vihiga, while Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor (Jalang’o) encouraged youths to seize the voter registration drive.
“You can’t be partyless, voiceless, leaderless, voteless. Register to vote,” Odiwuor urged.
President Ruto closed his remarks with a rallying call to citizens to rise above mediocrity and actively take part in shaping Kenya’s destiny.
“We must change this country. We cannot continue to talk without acting. Kenya is not supposed to be a Third World country,” he declared.
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