Kenyans Online Unhappy with Immigration Department’s Condition for Passport Renewal

Kenyans on social media have questioned the rationale behind Immigration Department’s requirement for those renewing or replacing their passports to have a recommender.

In a tweet, the Department listed six requirements for one to renew/replace their passports including online application forms, 3 copies of invoices, an original ID and its copy, the old passport and a copy and 3 passport size photos.

However, its the requirement for ID copy of the recommender that left online users with questions.

@kevinmironga asked: ” @ImmigrationDept. 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?”

@AstronautKE said:” 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?”

@geonal tweeted: “So, why does one need a recommender, in order to REPLACE a passport? What are the constitutional qualifications of a recommender?”

@ItsOnyango asked: “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?”

@LydiahKinyanju4 noted: ” 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.”

@Benogola said: ” What invoices? 
Also, it is a renewal, why do we need the I.D and recommender?’

@KenneMwikya said: “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.”

@calvin_dete: “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…”