The government has announced new fees for the services offered by ministries and state departments in a bid to raise extra revenue.
While there could be a genuine reason for reviewing the rates, the new figures are outrageous and outrightly exploitative.
For example, first-time ID applicants who previously received the service free of charge will now have to pay Sh1,000. Replacing a lost or defaced ID will now cost Sh2,000 up from Sh100.
The ID is an important document for any Kenyan citizen turning 18, as it is required for almost all transactions and applications for other documents such as KRA Pin and passport.
Possession of an ID is a basic right and it should be easily accessible and affordable to anyone turning 18 years.
Kenyans have always been encouraged to formalise their marriages to reduce succession wars upon the death of a spouse, but the government seems determined to make this difficult after it reviewed the fees to Sh50,000 from Sh5,000.
Application for a new passport is now Sh7,500, 9,500 and 12,500 for the 34-page, 50-page and 66-page respectively, up from 4,500, 6,000 and 7,500.
Also raised are land registration and related fees, birth certificate applications, citizenship application and work permits.
Times are tough and the government must do everything to ease the cost of living. Not add to the people's burden.
Quote of the Day: "It is not possible to eat me without insisting that I sing praises of my devourer?"
Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Russian novelist was born on November 11, 1821
