Kenya Launches School-Based National ID Registration for Secondary Students Aged 18+
- AfriNews 247
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
The Kenyan government has launched a nationwide school-based National ID registration drive targeting secondary school students who have turned 18 years old. This marks a significant step by the Ministry of Education to ensure that eligible students receive their National Identity Cards before completing their secondary education.
This unprecedented initiative, rolled out during the ongoing second term (May–August 2025), is being led by the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services through the National Registration Bureau.
According to a circular issued by the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Julius Bitok, all Regional and County Directors of Education have been directed to notify school principals to support the seamless execution of the exercise.
“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,” the circular dated May 29 states.
How the National ID Registration Process Will Work
In a significant shift from the norm, school principals or their deputies will now act as identification agents for students, replacing the usual role played by National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs). This is expected to speed up the verification process and ensure timely issuance of IDs.
Education officials at the regional and county levels have also been instructed to collaborate with County and Deputy County Registration Officers to guarantee the exercise’s success across all public and private secondary schools.
Impact and Implications
The government aims to register thousands of eligible students before the school year ends, hoping to eliminate post-secondary delays caused by the lack of identification documents. This initiative will especially benefit students preparing for university admission, job applications, or financial aid requests such as the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) program.
While the campaign is rooted in educational and civic empowerment, it coincides with growing political interest in the youth demographic, especially as the 2027 general elections approach. With ID cards in hand, many of these students will be eligible to register as first-time voters.
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