Kenya Launches Nationwide ID Registration Drive for Secondary School Students

The government has launched a nationwide initiative to register secondary school students for national identity cards (IDs) and is expanding digital literacy opportunities for university graduates. 

The ID registration drive, underway from May to August 2025, coincides with the announcement of 1,000 internship positions under the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP) aimed at integrating technology into the education system. The National Registration Bureau (NRB), under the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, is spearheading the ID registration initiative. The program addresses historical challenges where delays in obtaining national IDs have hindered students' access to higher education, employment, and government-sponsored financial aid, including loans from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).

Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, in a directive issued to educators on May 29th, emphasized the initiative's significance in facilitating students' seamless transition to tertiary education and the job market. Traditionally, National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) verified student identities, however, under the new framework, school principals and deputy principals will be responsible for facilitating the ID registration. This places responsibility on educational staff, working in conjunction with county and deputy county registration officers to oversee the process within their respective institutions. 

Bitok said, "This registration drive is intended to ensure eligible students receive their IDs before leaving secondary school, thereby preventing bureaucratic hurdles that have previously affected their ability to apply for college placements, bursaries, and government loans." 

This shift reflects the government's intent to simplify procedures and eliminate bottlenecks that have historically delayed access to crucial national documentation. However, the ID registration initiative unfolds amidst ongoing political debates concerning ID issuance policies in Kenya. Recent directives by President William Ruto to eliminate additional vetting requirements for ID registration in border counties have ignited discussions regarding their potential impact on the upcoming 2027 elections. 

Simultaneously, the Public Service Commission (PSC), in partnership with the Ministry of Education's State Department for Basic Education, has unveiled the fourth cohort of the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP), creating 1,000 internship positions. These positions are designed to enhance digital learning and support technological advancements in schools. Successful candidates will be deployed to schools across the country at the sub-county level. 

The internships seek to provide hands-on experience in e-learning content development, infrastructure networking, applications development, and information security. To qualify, applicants must hold a degree or diploma specializing in ICT or ICT integration in education from a recognized institution. Selected interns will support e-learning initiatives, train primary school teachers on the use of digital literacy devices, and contribute to the development of educational content tailored to Kenya's curriculum. 

Furthermore, they will be tasked with fostering research and innovation to enhance the effectiveness of the program, and uphold ethical standards in digital education. Applications for the internship program are open until June 23, 2025, and must be submitted online via the Commission's job portal. The program will run for a non-renewable 12-month period, during which interns will receive a government stipend. Upon completion, interns will receive certificates from the State Department for Basic Education, acknowledging their contribution to Kenya's digital learning ecosystem.

Launched in 2016, the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP) forms a key element of Kenya's Vision 2030, aimed at bridging the technological divide between urban and rural schools. The initiative is a collaborative effort involving the ICT Authority and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), and continues to play a crucial role in equipping learners and educators with essential digital competencies.