President William Ruto has announced that the government will waive fees for replacing national identification cards until after the 2027 General Election, saying the move aims to ensure no Kenyan is denied the opportunity to register as a voter.

Speaking during the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) centenary celebrations in Nyang’ori, Vihiga County, on Saturday, the President explained that the replacement fee was originally introduced to discourage abuse by citizens who, after receiving IDs for free, would lose them and request replacements repeatedly. He added that the waiver will remain in effect until after the elections.

“We will make sure no one is denied the opportunity to register as a voter because of a lack of an identification card,” Ruto said.

The event was attended by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Governors Ken Lusaka of Bungoma and Wilber Ottichilo of Vihiga, as well as Members of Parliament and county assembly representatives.

In addition to the ID announcement, President Ruto unveiled plans to establish two key financial instruments: the Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

He explained that the Infrastructure Fund will finance agricultural transformation through irrigation, agro-processing, and value addition, while also supporting industrialisation, manufacturing, and the generation of additional power.

Kenya generates about 2,300 megawatts, which the President said is insufficient for industrial growth, calling for a minimum of 10,000 megawatts.

“Currently, Kenya generates only 2,300 megawatts, which is not enough to take Kenya to the next level. A minimum of 10,000MW is needed if we are to transform this country into an industrialised and manufacturing nation,” he said.

On the Sovereign Wealth Fund, Ruto stressed the importance of saving for the future, rather than spending all resources immediately.

A sovereign wealth fund is a State-owned investment that governments use to invest surplus revenues and other financial reserves.

Countries establish these funds to stabilise economies, grow national wealth and generate long-term financial returns to secure the national future.

President Ruto urged Kenyans to collaborate to unlock the country’s potential and propel it to the next level.

He said Kenyans must stop being comfortable with the mediocre, the average and being a Third World country.

“We must change this country. We cannot continue to talk without acting,” he said. “Kenya [is] not supposed to [be] a Third World country.”

Ruto further warned health facilities against charging citizens for outpatient services in dispensaries, health centres, and sub-county hospitals, noting that the government is already covering these costs.

He said the government has paid health insurance for 2.5 million vulnerable Kenyans who cannot afford contributions to the Social Health Authority (SHA), amounting to Sh3.7 billion.