Under the leadership of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, the Kenyan government has announced a significant revision in the fees for various government services. The changes, which were gazetted on November 6, 2023, are set to affect both Kenyan citizens and foreign nationals.
Passport Fees Revisions
The cost of obtaining an ordinary passport has seen a substantial increase. Here are the details:
| Passport Type | Previous Fee (Ksh) | New Fee (Ksh) |
|---|---|---|
| 34-page ordinary passport | 4,500 | 7,500 |
| 50-page ordinary passport | 6,500 | 9,500 |
| 66-page ordinary passport | 7,500 | 12,000 |
With a lost passport, Kenyans will now have to pay Ksh 20,000, a significant increase from the previous fee of Ksh 12,000. Replacing a mutilated passport will also substantially increase, now costing Ksh 20,000 from the previous fee of Ksh 10,000. The new fee is set at Ksh 30,000 for those needing an express passport.
ID Replacement and Other Services
Replacing a lost national ID card has notably increased, now priced at Ksh 2,000 from the previous Ksh 100. Those not registered for IDs will now have to part with Ksh 1,000.
| Service | Previous Fee (Ksh) | New Fee (Ksh) |
|---|---|---|
| Declaring dual citizenship | 0 | 10,000 |
| Declaring Kenyan citizenship by marriage | 30,000 | 100,000 |
| Alien card for foreigners residing in Kenya for at least 3 months | 2,000 | 10,000 |
| Registration of birth and death | 50 | 200 |
For those needing business visas to visit Kenya, the new fee is Ksh 151,000, while visa fees for children of Kenyan citizens have been set at Ksh 30,000.
These adjustments have stirred discussions among Kenyan citizens, with some expressing concerns about the increased financial burden on essential services.
The government, however, defends the changes, citing the need for resources to enhance and maintain efficient service delivery in the immigration and passport issuance process1.
As these new fees come into effect, individuals requiring these services are urged to familiarize themselves with the updated costs and plan accordingly.