The Kenyan passport [PHOTO/standardmedia.co.ke]The Kenyan immigration department is planning to roll out secure e-passports from next month.
This is in a line with their intention to phase out the current passports by August 2019.
Earlier this year, head of Immigration Services Maj Gen Gordon Kihalangwa revealed that the said roll-out will start on September 1 this year.
To get this ePassport, all applicants will need to apply for a replacement passport before returning their current passports.
The ePassport will have an electronic chip that will hold the same information as the old passport, together with a biometric identifier, digital photograph of the owner and security features that prevent unauthorised use and forgery.
Details of this document will also be registered with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The department also said that the new document will cost the same amount of money as the current one.
The move is spearheaded by the East African initiative and ePassports will also be launched across the regional members simultaneously.