This archive report was first published on 26 August 2019.
The Kenyan government has introduced a new appointment system for passport applicants, aimed at reducing congestion at passport processing centres.
As of now, Kenyans applying for passports must book appointments through the e-citizen portal before visiting passport centres. This new system is designed to ensure that only those who have booked appointments can visit passport centres, thereby reducing the long queues that have been a common occurrence at these centres.
However, the Immigration Department has announced that certain individuals will be exempt from this new requirement. These include public officials with agent assignments abroad, as well as sick persons, students, and business executives with urgent engagements abroad. To be exempt, these individuals will need to provide evidence to support their claims.
The introduction of the appointment system is seen as a response to the recent extension of the deadline to travel on the new e-passports to March 1 next year. The government had initially set the deadline for August 31, but has since extended it to allow more Kenyans to obtain the new e-passports.
Kenya started issuing single electronic East African Community (EAC) passports in August 2017, replacing the readable ordinary ones. The new e-passport is enhanced with an Automated Fingerprint Verification System to minimize fraud, and is designed to make travel easier and faster for Kenyans.
According to Director of Immigration Services Alex Muteshi, the e-passport will assist Kenyans in easing travel, especially through the use of automated border clearances or e-gates, automated issuance of boarding passes, and faster travel arrangements with airlines and immigration checks worldwide.
"The deployment of the e-passport system will definitely strengthen the integrity and restore international confidence and rating of Kenyan passports," Muteshi said.
