Immigration Services Assures Kenyans of Swift Action on Passport Shortage
The government has moved to ease growing public concern over the unavailability of cheaper passport options on the eCitizen platform, assuring Kenyans that measures are being taken to address the shortage and speed up processing of travel documents.
In a statement released on Friday, February 6, the Directorate of Immigration Services acknowledged widespread complaints following the disappearance of the A and B Series passport booklets from the online application portal. The move has left applicants with only one option—the 66-page passport priced at Ksh12,500—effectively increasing the minimum cost of acquiring a Kenyan passport.
The Directorate said it was aware of the frustration among applicants and maintained that systems were being put in place to ensure services run smoothly despite the challenges.
“We have put measures in place to ensure that all passport applications are processed in a timely manner and without causing inconvenience to applicants,” the Directorate stated, amid mounting pressure from members of the public.
The Ministry of Interior echoed the reassurance in a separate statement, confirming it was seized of the matter and appealing for patience as corrective steps are undertaken.
“We reaffirm our commitment to facilitate travel in line with our mandate as we make efforts to ensure that all passport series are available,” the Ministry said.
However, neither the Directorate nor the Ministry offered a clear explanation for the sudden unavailability of the cheaper passport booklets, leaving questions unanswered about whether the issue is linked to supply constraints, policy changes, or administrative challenges.
A spot check on the eCitizen platform shows that new applicants and those seeking standard renewals can now only select the 66-page passport, which costs Ksh12,500. The previously available 50-page booklet, priced at Ksh9,500, has been removed from the options, forcing applicants to pay the higher fee.
This development follows an earlier decision by the government in July 2025 to withdraw the 34-page passport, the cheapest option at Ksh7,500. At the time, authorities cited operational and supply challenges but did not outline a long-term solution.
With both the 34-page and 50-page passports currently unavailable, the cost of obtaining a Kenyan passport has effectively risen by at least Ksh3,000, a move that has sparked criticism, particularly from low-income earners.
Some applicants have argued that the change comes at a time when many households are already grappling with high living costs and economic uncertainty. On social media, several Kenyans questioned why the transition was not accompanied by a formal public notice or explanation.
While the 50-page passport is no longer available for first-time applications or standard renewals, the Directorate clarified that the booklet can still be issued in limited cases, such as replacements for lost or mutilated passports.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of renewed optimism for Kenyan travelers following the country’s improved standing in the latest Henley Passport Index. In the January 2026 update, Kenya climbed five places to rank 68th globally, marking a recovery after falling to 73rd position in October 2025.
According to the updated ranking, Kenyan passport holders can now access 69 destinations worldwide either visa-free or with a visa on arrival, a slight improvement from the previous figure of 70 destinations amid the earlier decline.
The Henley Passport Index is compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the world’s most comprehensive travel database, and ranks 199 passports across 227 destinations.
As Kenyans await clarity on the passport shortage, pressure continues to mount on immigration authorities to restore affordable options and communicate transparently on the way forward.
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Immigration Services Assures Kenyans of Swift Action on Passport Shortage
