The government, through the National Registration Bureau (NRB), has extended the validity of expired National Identity Cards until 1 January 2027.
This is according to a circular signed by the Secretary for National Registration, Patrick Machika, which states that the extension takes effect from 1 January this year.
Machika said the decision is aimed at giving the bureau adequate time to complete the replacement of about two million expired ID cards nationwide.
In the letter, Machika directed all government departments and private institutions to continue accepting expired National ID cards as valid identification until the new deadline.
In a separate statement, the NRB confirmed that expired National IDs will remain legally acceptable for all official purposes until 1 January 2027, following government approval to extend their use.
Machika said the extension will allow the NRB to finalise the production and distribution of replacement IDs for all affected citizens.
The bureau has therefore appealed to both public and private institutions to comply with the directive and continue recognising expired IDs during the extended period.
In 2023, the government had also extended the validity of expired National IDs, with the previous deadline set to expire on 1 January 2026.
