Kenya's Immigration Department Downscales Passport Operations Amid New COVID-19 Wave

The Directorate of Immigration Services has announced it will scale down operations at the passport processing offices in light of the rising number of COVID-19 infections in the country.

The move is aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring safety for both the staff and customers, according to Immigration Director-General Alexander Muteshi.

Muteshi says passport applicants who had already booked appointments for submission and biometric capture will receive notifications instructing them to book new appointments.

“Applicants who had booked appointments for submission and biometrics capture will receive SMS notifications advising them to book new appointments,” said Muteshi in a statement on Friday.

The new directive will take effect from March 22nd.

Muteshi urged those with urgent travel to contact the department via hotline +254-110-922-065 for assistance.

Last month, the government announced the extension of the deadline for phasing out of the old dark blue passports by a further 10 months.

The old-generation passports will now become obsolete on December 31st, 2021 and no Kenyan will be allowed to travel internationally without a valid East African Community e-passport from January 1st, 2022.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i said the deadline was extended due to COVID-19 disruptions.