Types of Kenyan Passports

Kenyan Passports are issued by the Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government.

The Kenyan passport is offered to its citizens as provided for in the Kenya Citizens and Immigration Act that started on 30 August 2011. In addition, the issuance process is regulated by Legal Notice No. 64 (the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Regulations, 2012).

You need to be eligible before you can apply for a passport. If eligible, an individual can apply for a New Passport, Renewal Passport, or Replace a lost passport.

1. Diplomatic Passport. (maroon cover passport)

Issuable to Kenyan diplomats accredited overseas and their eligible dependents and to citizens who reside in the foreign country.

One cannot apply for a diplomatic visa without being a government public figure or well-cognized personnel in Kenya. Diplomats are known to be treated with respect.

2. Ordinary Light Blue Cover Passport.

The ordinary passport is issuable to Kenyan citizens while traveling abroad, and is valid for 10 years

3. East African passport (light blue cover)

This passport enables one to travel around East African countries for a period stated in the passport.

Issuable to Kenyans for travel within the East African Community including Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.

This passport only costs Ksh. 990 to purchase and lasts for only six months. Upon expiration, you are asked to pay a renewal fee and get it done, which will also last for a short period.

East African Community Passports are issued and replaced by the competent authorities in East African partner States or the Diplomatic Mission abroad.

4. Kenyan Biometric Passports (ePassports).

In September 2017 Kenya introduced the biometric passport (ePassport). The new biometric passport contains the holder’s bio-data such as fingerprints, digitally stored photos, and signatures among others.

You can apply for your new Kenyan passport through the eCitizen portal.

Features of the Kenyan Bio-metric passport:

• Electronic chip holding the same information as the old model passport
• Bio-metric identifier.
• Digital photograph of the passport holder.
• Security features to prevent unauthorized use and forgery.
• Details of the ePassport will be registered with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

5. Special passport.

In Kenya, a special passport may be issued to a diplomat, government official, or armed forces member.

This is a document that proves the bearer’s identity and citizenship and entitles the bearer to special privileges.

Special passports may have different entry and exit requirements than regular passports, therefore it is advisable to check with the authority. There is no standard application process for special passports in Kenya.

However, it is generally necessary to have a valid Kenyan passport and to meet the requirements of the Kenyan government for travel to the country for which the special passport is required.

6. Mutilated Passport.

A mutilated passport is a passport that has been mutilated, damaged, or altered thereby compromising its validity.

To obtain a new passport, the applicant must submit the following:

• A completed application form.
• Two identical photographs of the applicant were taken within the last six months.
• The applicant’s most recent passport.
• A police report if the passport was lost or stolen.
• Proof of Kenyan citizenship, such as a birth certificate, national identity card, or previous passport
• Marriage certificate or court order, if the applicant has changed their name.
• A fee of 50 US dollars.

Requirements for Acquiring a new Passport in Kenya.

To obtain a new passport in Kenya, applicants must submit proof of Kenyan citizenship, such as a birth certificate, national ID card, or previous passport.

They must also submit a completed passport application form, two passport-size photos, and the appropriate fees.

Kenyan Passports Appearance.

Kenyan passports are designed with various security features and have a variety of identity information.

The cover contains the Kenyan coat of arms emblazoned in gold in the center of the front cover.

The words “EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY” are inscribed at the top followed by “REPUBLIC OF KENYA” is inscribed in the gold text above the coat of arms, while “PASSPORT” is inscribed in the gold text below it. The back cover is left blank.

The passport note occupies the second page of the passport, and the emergency contact information is on the last page. The identity information page is printed on the inside of the passport’s second page, while the person’s description is on the third page.

The second page of the Kenyan passport has the following features:

1. The words “Republic of Kenya” are written in English, Swahili, and French.
2. E-passport Logo.
3. Photo of passport owner.
4. Watermark feature showing the map of Kenya.
5. Type of document (P=Passport)
6. Code of issuing country (K=Kenya)
7. Passport number — a mixture of letters and numbers
8. The reference number is also known as the file number.
9. Surname.
10. Given names.
11. Sex.
12. Date of issue.
13. Date of expiry.
14. Nationality.
15. Place of birth.
16. The authority that issued the passport.
17. Holder’s signature.

Kenyan Passports Security Features.

The pages of Kenyan passports are watermarked with the Kenyan coat of arms. The pages feature designs with the ‘big five games’ animals commonly found in Kenyan national parks and reserves: the lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, and buffalo.

The page ends with a two-line machine-readable zone, according to ICAO standard 9303. Also the holder’s National ID card number.

There is also a holographic 3D copy of the owner’s picture, a holographic copy of the two machine-readable lines, security features seen under special UV light, holographic micro printing, and kinematic elements.