The Launch of the E-Passport Centre: A Gateway for Kenyans in Qatar
On a momentous day in Doha, the Kenyan embassy buzzed with excitement and anticipation as the Director-General of Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration and Citizen Services, Alexander Muteshi, officially launched an e-passport centre for Kenyans living in Qatar. This groundbreaking initiative aims to streamline passport services for the sizable Kenyan community in the Gulf state, making the process simpler and more accessible.
A Pioneering Step for Kenyans Abroad
During the launch, held on a Monday, Muteshi demonstrated the application process for the e-passport, underscoring the Kenyan government’s commitment to enhancing the experience for its citizens abroad. The event, graced by the presence of Kenyan Ambassador to Qatar, HE Paddy C Ahenda, also saw the distribution of e-passports to several Kenyans who had previously submitted their applications, marking a significant achievement in timely passport issuance.
Transitioning from Old to New
One key highlight of the launch was Muteshi’s emphasis on the phasing out of the old generation passport, traditionally dark blue in color. He pointed out that the deadline for this transition is set for November 2022. This timeline underscores the urgency for Kenyans—especially those in Qatar and their children born abroad—to acquire the new East African Community (EAC) biometric e-passport.
Application Made Easy
The e-passport centre will operate from Sunday to Thursday, from 8 AM to 3 PM, providing an accessible window for passport applications. Prospective applicants can fill out their application at the eCitizen portal before visiting the embassy for biometrics, ensuring a more efficient process. Muteshi encouraged Kenyans to take full advantage of the new services, emphasizing the importance of modernizing passport services to meet international standards.
The Process Simplified
Immigration Attaché Fred Ogeto elaborated on the application procedure during the launch, reassuring applicants that an appointment is not required. They simply need to complete their application on the eCitizen platform, gather the necessary documents—including a national identity card, photographs, and specific pages of their existing passport—and bring them to the embassy.
For the e-passport, which consists of 32 pages, applicants will incur a fee of 4,550 Kenyan shillings. In cases of lost passports, the replacement cost is 12,050 Kenyan shillings. The anticipated processing time for e-passports is approximately four weeks from submission, which is a significant improvement from previous systems.
Adopting Cutting-Edge Technology
Notably, the new e-passport system is integrated into the main servers in Nairobi, which enhances connectivity and reduces delays in processing. Second Counsellor at the embassy, Abdirahman Ayala, highlighted that the e-passport system adheres to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, thereby ensuring security and reliability in biometrics capture and passport printing.
A Permanent Solution
Muteshi reassured the Kenyan community that the e-passport facility will be a permanent establishment at the embassy in Qatar. He expressed optimism that the introduction of this service would not only expedite the passport application process but also improve overall service delivery for Kenyans living away from home.
A New Era for Kenyans Abroad
The excitement surrounding the launch reflects the deep-seated need for efficient administrative services among expatriate communities. As the embassy in Qatar embraces modern technology to facilitate passport applications, it reinforces the Kenyan government’s dedication to serving its citizens, irrespective of their geographical location.
This launch stands as a testament to the potential for positive transformation in the way governmental services are delivered to Kenyans abroad, creating an atmosphere of hope and progress within the community.
