A petition challenging the proposed increment of fees and levies on passports, Identity cards, and birth, marriage and deaths certificates has been filed in court.
It has been filed by a Kenyan Citizen who has moved to court under certificate of urgency.
An activist Fredrick Bikeri through Senior Lawyer Danstan Omari wants to quash a gazette notice that saw the government raising taxation on various government services.
“There was no public participation by various stakeholders, “added Bikeri.
Bikeri insists that if the gazette notice is implemented, many Kenyans are going to suffer, including four leavers and young adults who are yet to get married will suffer due to the high cost of living.
The matter will now be mentioned on November 29, 2023 before Hon Lawrence Mugambi.
According to the legal gazette notice no 15239-15242 dated 6th November 2023, the 2nd Respondent caused a review of charges and fees for. Various government documentations and services including but not limited to birth and death certificates, marriage certificate, passport and work permits.
They said the increase of fees from Sh100 to Sh1000 is on the high scale and most Kenyans would not be able to afford and more so those finishing their secondary education and require the IDS for Job seeking and further studies.
“Over 2M children will be graduating this year and will require passports to travel outside the country for further studies and looking for employment and will not afford the fee being charged for passports,” they said
When the petition was placed before Justice Lawrence Mugambi he directed that the same be served to Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and the Attorney General Justin Muturi and the same be mentioned together with the earlier petition for directions.
