The Ministry of Interior has reminded Kenyans about the limited time in the need for renewal of the East Africa Community (EAC) E-Passports after a deadline restated from the 31st of December to November 30.
A move that is aimed at phasing out the old EAC passport to replace it with a biometric E-Passport version in a bid to boost free movement among the people of EAC.
The initiative follows a meeting convened by the EAC Council of Minister’s meeting held in Arusha, Tanzania where it was declared for the fastening of the process to roll out the plan.
Based on a statement by the Immigration Services Director General Alexander Muteshi revealed that the deadline had been moved to November 2022 as opposed to the earlier stated date pegged at December 31, 2022.
“Pursuant to the decision by EAC Council of Minister’s meeting held in Arusha from November 22 to November 29, 2021, the deadline for phasing out of the old generation passport for all EAC member States is November 2022.
Thereby in line with this decision, the Directorate of Immigration Services wishes to inform the general public that Kenya is bound to migrate fully to the new East African Community biometric e-passport by 30th November 2022. Kenyans are therefore hereby advised to acquire the new Biometric e-passport to avoid any inconveniences,” read the statement in part.
Re-dating the deadline was influenced by the need to meet the procrastination that has marred the process since it was rolled out in December 2016.
How to Apply
To apply for the new document, interested applicants are advised to visit the e-Citizen platform and complete Form 19 online.
They will then be required to pay the requisite passport fees for the type of passport ranging from Ksh4,550 and Ksh12,050.
There are six types of applications starting with Ordinary “A” Series at Ksh 4,550, Ordinary “B” Series (Ksh 6,050), Ordinary “C” Series (Ksh 7,550), Diplomatic Passport (Ksh 7,550), Mutilated Passport (Ksh 10,050) and Lost Passport (Ksh 12,050)
Applicants must download and print the application form and three copies of the receipt, then the applicant should personally submit the application form to the Immigration offices in Nairobi, Mombasa, or Kisumu.
They must also physically appear for the biometric rollout, present an original birth certificate and one photocopy, possess an original National ID Card and one photocopy, three current passport size photos, and a copy of the recommender’s ID card.
Other requirements include the old passport for replacement plus photocopies of its last three pages, photocopies of parents’ National ID cards (if available) or Death Certificates (if deceased), a sworn affidavit, a police abstract, and an explanation letter required for the lost passport as well as an explanation letter for mutilated passports.