Kenya's immigration department to abolish current passports in 2019

In Summary

• New passport will have electronic chip holding the same information as the old model passport
• Details of the ePassport will be registered with the International Civil Aviation Organization
• The move is an East African initiative and ePassports will also be rolled out in the other EA countries simultaneously

NAIROBI, KENYA: Immigration department will roll out secure e-passports next month paving way for the phasing out of current passports by August 2019.

In March, Immigration Services Maj Gen Gordon Kihalangwa said the rollout is set for September 1, this year.
To get the ePassport, applicants will be required to apply for a replacement passport and then return their current passports.

According to the department, the ePassport will have an electronic chip holding the same information as the old model passport, alongside a biometric identifier, digital photograph of the holder and security features to prevent unauthorised use and forgery.

Details of the ePassport will be registered with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The new passport will cost the same as the current passport according to the Immigration Department.

The document was initially set to be launched in December 2016 before it was pushed to April then to September 2017.

The move is an East African initiative and ePassports will also be rolled out in the other EA countries simultaneously.