Kenya: Changes to Processing Times; New Travel Security System at Entry Ports and New Digital Identity Document System Forthcoming

To overcome a growing backlog, the Kenyan government intends to expedite the processing, printing and issuance of the East African Community biometric passports. Additionally, the government has disclosed plans to reduce the standard processing time to 21 days for all citizenship, permanent residency, and work permit applications and has set the standard processing time for appeals to seven days within the receipt of the recommendation from the Directorate of Immigration Services. Additionally, the government will be implementing a travel security system at all ports of entry into Kenya, with an exemption for Kenyans and East Africans, that is expected to reduce immigration counter queues. Finally, the government is planning to reduce the standard processing time for identity applications for Kenyans living in neighboring countries and is also planning to implement a biometric identity card system (called the Unique Personal Identifier) to be used as an identity card for foreign nationals with social security numbers. These changes are meant to curb fraud and tampering with the information contained in passports, to fast track applications, and improve the entry and exit tracking systems of travelers in Kenya.