Kenyans in the diaspora have complained after Interior CS Fred Matiang'i's latest move to raise passport fees.
The changes were announced towards the end of January and Kenyans living abroad will be hit hardest.
Those living in the US may end up paying twice as much as is charged locally for a passport.
“This is a clear move by a corrupt government that has run out of money and ideas on how to create wealth to improve the welfare of Kenyans.
[caption caption="Kenyans in Diaspora"]
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“Instead, (it) is now frantically looking for ways to fill the hole in the government coffers they raided to finance the campaigns. Kenyans abroad should resist this exploitation!” Anthony Muhula, a Kenyan resident of Montreal, Canada was quoted by the Nation.
Initially, the passports cost Sh4,500, Sh6,000 and Sh7,500 for a 32-page, 48-page and 64-page, respectively.
The new fee structure will see diplomatic passports go up by almost Sh10,000 for those living in the US and Carribean countries.
“Severely outraged by this latest ‘decree’ from the Kenya government. One would have thought that the unending sore of these Kenyans being denied their right to vote was vile enough,” attorney Henry K. Ongeri posted on Facebook.
He further accused the government of treating the Kenyan diaspora as second-class citizens.
“This is not about the amount, many Kenyans in the diaspora can manage to pay the sum...Due process and equal treatment before the law, what animals are those, they ask?
"I am livid and hope that I am not alone,” he added.
[caption caption="File Photo of a Kenyan Passport"]
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