This archive report was first published on 26 July 2019.
On July 26, 2019, the government announced an extension of the deadline for travel on the new e-passport to 1st March 2020, as reported by government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna.
The extension comes as the original deadline of August 31, 2019, nears, with a significant number of applications for the new e-passport being made across the country.
According to a press circular, Col (Rtd) Oguna stated that the President has directed the Cabinet Secretaries for the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Monica Juma, and Interior and Coordination of National Government, Fred Matiang'i, to work with foreign missions worldwide to facilitate the issuance of visas to Kenyans on the current passports.
Mr Oguna urged Kenyans to take advantage of the extension and not wait until the last minute to apply.
The government began phasing out the old passports in August 2017, with holders required to change to new digital passports by January 31, 2018, as directed by the East Africa Community (EAC).
The new e-passport features a chip that provides travelers with benefits such as automated border clearance and faster clearance at points of entry and exit. It is highly secure, making it difficult to reproduce or tamper with.
The old documents will become obsolete starting September 1, 2019.
