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- Chidozie Uzoezie
Kenyan Immigration Service Launches E-Passport
Kenya Immigration department will on September 1, roll out secure e-passports next month paving way for the phasing out of current passports by August 2019.
To get the ePassport, applicants will be required to apply for a replacement passport and then return their current passports.
Standardmedia.co.ke reports that the ePassport will have an electronic chip holding the same information as the old model passport, alongside a biometric identifier, digital photograph of the holder and security features to prevent unauthorised use and forgery.
The new passport will cost the same as the current passport according to the Immigration Department details of which will be registered with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
The move is an East African initiative and ePassports will also be rolled out in the other EA countries simultaneously.
Applications for the e-passport can be made online at https://immigration.ecitizen.go.ke
