Old passports to become obsolete in five weeks
Kenyans have until November 30 to replace their old passports with the new East African Community (EAC) version.
Directorate of Immigration Services Director General Alexander Muteshi said yesterday the decision was taken during an EAC Council of Ministers meeting held in Arusha last November.
“The deadline for phasing out the old generation passport for all EAC member States is November 2022,” said Muteshi (pictured).
In line with this decision, said the country is bound to migrate fully to the new EAC biometric e-passport by November 30.
“Kenyans are here advised to acquire the new biometric passport to avoid any inconveniences,” he added.
Microchip
Initially, the government had set a deadline of December 31, last year for phasing out the old generation passports but the Council of Ministers’ meeting extended the phasing out period for all EAC member countries.
The government set up passport control centres in Nakuru, Kisii, Eldoret and Embu, and others in Europe, US, Johannesburg in South Africa and another in Dubai to facilitate faster issuance.
Kenyans holding the dark blue passports are expected to take advantage of the two-month period left to acquire up-to-date electronic passports, which are light to avoid last minute rush.
A microchip has been incorporated in the new passports, which contains data of the holder, matching information in the booklet.
