Kenya Government to Issue 1 Million Passports, 3 Million IDs by Year-End

The Kenyan government has pledged to improve access to identification documents and expedite border management processes.

This initiative aims to enhance public service delivery and generate additional revenue for the nation. A cornerstone of this plan is the acquisition of new passport printing machines with a capacity of 600 passports per hour. This upgrade is projected to reduce passport issuance times to less than 14 working days. The machines will be operational next week and the government has secured the necessary resources for production and related expenses.

To further improve accessibility, new application offices will be opened in Nyeri, Bungoma, and Garissa, reducing congestion at Nyayo House in Nairobi. Beyond passports, the government is committed to issuing at least three million digital national identity cards by the end of 2024. This includes 1.2 million cards for first-time applicants and 1.6 million replacements, building on the existing 733,000 Maisha cards. Additionally, vetting procedures for obtaining IDs in Northern Kenya will be streamlined starting next month.

This focus on efficient document issuance is coupled with a plan to expand the government's online platform e-Citizen. The number of services offered is expected to reach 20,000, exceeding the current 16,000. This expansion, along with an improved user experience, is anticipated to attract more users and generate daily platform usage exceeding one million. Furthermore, the government aims to leverage technology for enhanced border management.

Investments will be made in government-owned systems that provide real-time data on traveller entry and exit. The initiative also addresses the needs of refugees and undocumented immigrants. The Shirika Plan aims to settle nearly 700,000 refugees residing in Kakuma and Daadab camps while an expedited process will be implemented to document and register approximately 200,000 undocumented immigrants. The State Department has conducted a thorough assessment to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act to safeguard sensitive information.