Huduma Kenya, the national digital service platform, has raised concerns about a rising trend where many Kenyans are not collecting their National Identity Cards after they have been issued. As of March 18, more than 462,500 ID cards remain uncollected at Huduma Centres and registration bureaus nationwide, creating a significant backlog that is straining the system.

Impact on Registration and Voter Roll

The situation is particularly problematic as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) prepares for a 30-day nationwide voter registration drive, expected to start at the end of March. The IEBC aims to register 2.5 million new voters, a goal that is becoming increasingly difficult with hundreds of thousands of Kenyans still waiting to collect their already-processed ID cards.

According to the National Registration Bureau (NRB), a large portion of the uncollected cards are duplicates. Many individuals are reapplying for IDs at different locations, thinking their original documents are lost, when in fact they were never collected in the first place. This has caused frustration among officials, who say the trend is wasting resources and delaying services for others.

Nairobi, the capital city, has the highest number of uncollected cards, with 71,060 IDs still waiting to be picked up. Kiambu follows with 40,141, and Nakuru with 28,229. Other counties with significant backlogs include Meru (24,893), Mombasa (23,000), and Busia (20,330).

Free ID Cards and Increased Demand

The surge in uncollected IDs is partly attributed to a government policy introduced in May 2025, which waived application fees for new applicants and those seeking replacements, especially in border counties. Since the policy took effect, at least 1.7 million Kenyans have registered for new ID cards, and the numbers are expected to continue rising now that the entire process is free.

Additionally, the government removed a requirement in May 2025 that had previously barred residents of 15 border counties from registering to vote until they obtained a National ID card. This change opened access to tens of thousands of voters, and mobile registration centers were deployed in five of these counties—West Pokot, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, Narok, and Baringo. Over 100,000 IDs have been processed in these areas within ten months, but most have not been collected.

The NRB has highlighted that the free ID registration policy has led to a spike in applications, but without a corresponding increase in collection rates, the system is overwhelmed. Officials warn that the growing backlog could delay the voter registration process and potentially affect the credibility of the upcoming elections.

Efforts to Address the Backlog

Despite the challenges, the government and Huduma Kenya are working to address the issue. Officials have urged Kenyans to visit the centers where they originally applied to collect their ID cards. They have also launched awareness campaigns to inform citizens about the importance of collecting their documents to avoid further delays.

Meanwhile, Gen-Zs have taken to social media under the campaign #NikoKadi, which has gone viral and has mobilized thousands of young Kenyans to participate in the voter registration process. However, officials note that relatively few of them have physically appeared to complete the ID application process.

Experts warn that the current backlog could hinder the effectiveness of the voter registration drive. With the IEBC’s 30-day campaign set to begin soon, there is a pressing need for Kenyans to collect their ID cards to ensure a smooth registration process.

According to NRB officials, the backlog is not just a logistical challenge but also a systemic one. They emphasize that without a coordinated effort from both the government and the public, the situation could worsen as the number of uncollected ID cards continues to rise.

As the country prepares for a major electoral process, the issue of uncollected ID cards has become a critical concern. The success of the voter registration drive will depend heavily on how quickly Kenyans can resolve the backlog and ensure that they have their documents in hand.