The Ministry of Education has authorised the registration and issuance of national identity cards to secondary school students as the government moves to ensure Kenyans obtain the cards before the 2027 General Election.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

According to Basic Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa, the National Registration Bureau (NRB) officers have been permitted to issue the documents to all eligible students who have attained the age of 18.

In a notice dated August 31, 2026, the PS said the exercise will run from August 31 to October 16, 2026, with registration officers expected to visit schools during the period.

“This is to confirm that this office has considered and granted approval to the request by the National Registration Bureau for access to Secondary Schools for issuance of National Identity Cards to students across the country,” Ololtuaa said.

📌 What You Need to Know

The exercise has been scheduled to take place in the third term, with the PS noting that the timing had been carefully considered in view of upcoming national examinations.

“However, in view of the 3rd term examinations, the exercise should be undertaken between 31st August, 2026 and 16th October, 2026,” the PS said.

Following the Ministry's approval, school administrators are expected to facilitate access for registration officials while ensuring that learning and examination preparations are not disrupted.

To ensure seamless issuance, Ololtuaa issued a separate communication to Regional Directors of Education (RDEs) to help the registration officers access all the schools.

The school-based initiative is intended to spare eligible students the need to leave their institutions and travel to registration offices to obtain their national identification cards.

By bringing registration officers closer to students, the government hopes to make the process more accessible, particularly for learners in schools located far from the registration centres.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke