Immigration Department Puzzles Kenyans With Questionable Directive

Kenyans across social media have been puzzled by the Immigration Department's questionable directive on the requirements for one to renew their Passport.

The Department, through its Twitter page, had listed six requirements that one needs in order to have their passport replaced or renewed.

On the checklist are Online application forms, 3 copies of invoices, an original ID and its copy, the old passport and a copy and 3 passport size photos.

 

[caption caption="A copy of the Kenyan passport"][/caption]

However, netizens have drawn particular interest on the requirement to have a recommender and to produce their ID copy as part of the passport renewal application process.

Number 5.
Eeh are you a pyramid scheme?
A secret society?
A weird bank? (Barclays bank had this shit too. Smh) https://t.co/60JuuTodsw

— Nom de Plume (@MisAntre) July 31, 2018

Why is a recommender required for a replacement or renewal? As a matter of fact why do we require a recommender to ascertain need for a passport?

— Moibi Mironga (@kevinmironga) July 30, 2018

What is the rationale for requirement Number 5? Why do I need a recommendation when I an a citizen and a passport is my right? And how does their recommendation even matter when YOU don't even know who they are? @ntvkenya @TheStarKenya

— Omar Bond (@AstronautKE) July 30, 2018

So, why does one need a recommender, in order to REPLACE a passport?

What are the constitutional qualifications of a recommender?

— George, since 1990. (@geonal) July 30, 2018

Please define constitutional threshold of the recommender. What should one consider to qualify their recommender? And why is it even needed to replace or renew passports? #AskImmigrationKE

— Vincent (@ItsOnyango) July 30, 2018

I still don't get why as a Kenyan by birth would need a recommendation to get a passport but hey it's the Least of the land right? Smh

— Lydia Kinyanjui  (@LydiahKinyanju4) July 30, 2018

You can't see the big deal when you've to travel upcountry to get your priest's signature/id copy, or your area chief's recommendation.. while youre living at the coast... While you could just use a good conduct..I mean the govt is the best recommender right...anyways

— Lydia Kinyanjui (@LydiahKinyanju4) July 31, 2018

What invoices?
Also, it is a renewal, why do we need the I.D and recommender?#AskImmigrationKE

— Mr. B (@Benogola) July 31, 2018

According to the Department of Immigration Services, the application for a Kenyan passport must be recommended in Section '7' by a citizen of Kenya.

The recommender can be "a Minister of religion, a Minister or Legal Practitioner, an established Civil Servant or Bank Official personally acquainted with the applicant".

Immediate relatives, however, are not eligible to stand in as recommenders with the additional mandatory requirement to attach a copy of the recommender's National ID or passport.

Some citizens do not qualify for passports e.g. criminals, fraudsters and those who have been deported from other countries previously. hence the need for a recommender #AskImmigrationKE

— KenyanBrit (@BritKenyan) July 30, 2018

Use of a recommender is simply standard practice done in most developed countries as well. I don't see the big deal.

— KenyanBrit (@BritKenyan) July 31, 2018

I think, since you have my details, I just need the expired/ filled up passport brought to your offices and I get a new one....since this means on the time for renewal I cant travel....

— Jonathan (@mgicovi) July 30, 2018

@mmtairo this is what i was talking about, You have a passport but when you go to renew it you need a recommender  Ushenzi 101

— Ekesa Okedi (@rebizz) July 30, 2018

Why do i need a recomender and am already a passport holder plus CRB certified,Police Clearance certified,Registered voter,KRA Vat return certified etc etc...

— Intl Observer (@calvin_dete) July 30, 2018

Why do we need a second recommender if we got one when we reapplied? This does not make sense at all and is a major inconvenience to people replacing their documents.

— Kenne Mwikya (@KenneMwikya) July 30, 2018

They don't have a (reasonable) answer. Son they ignore. That's what happens when youbuave regulations on auto pilot. I've seen this asked hundreds of times, and never seen an answer. Don't bother waiting.

— Lucas Owako (@LucasOwako) July 31, 2018

Why does a Kenyan with an ID and a passport need a recommendation to renew the passport?

— Cheekie Richie (@njugz) July 30, 2018

The Directorate of Immigration and Registration of Persons, which is under the Ministry of Interior, has undergone extensive digitization process including the introduction of ePassport.

Besides, the agglomeration of various services under the Huduma Centres is considered a remarkable step towards the efficient delivery of government services.

[caption caption="Interior CS Fred Matiang'i launching the work permit verification and registration exercise"][/caption]

Another notable endeavour by the Department is the recently concluded work permit verification and registration exercise meant to safeguard the interest of Kenyans against foreign workers operating in the country illegally.

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