Passport Application Falls By 37% After Gov’t’s Quiet 50-Page Option Removal
Kenya’s passport issuance has dropped significantly, reflecting a sharp decline in the number of travel documents issued in 2025.
In a report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, passport issuance fell by 36.7 per cent to 393,567 in 2025, down from 621,794 in 2024.
This marked the steepest decline recorded in the past four years.
The decline in passport issuance has been attributed to a mix of factors, including weaker demand, rising application costs, and broader economic pressures affecting households.
While the government has announced reforms to cut processing times to 72 hours for certain applicants, the overall decline in numbers indicates existing challenges in obtaining the travel document.
Public sentiment also largely pointed to the government’s removal of lower-cost passport booklets as the key driver behind the drop.
In July 2025, the government discontinued the 32-page passport booklet for new applicants, citing operational and supply constraints, though no long-term replacement strategy was outlined. Before that, the most affordable passport went for Ksh7500.
Effectively, applicants were left with only two choices: the 50-page booklet priced at Ksh 9,500 and the 66-page version costing Ksh 12,500.
Removal of the lowest-cost option significantly increased the cost of acquiring a passport, contributing to the decline in applications recorded over the period.
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In a further development, the 50-page booklet was quietly withdrawn from the eCitizen platform for new applicants in February 2026, a move that has sparked renewed concern over the affordability and accessibility of travel documents.
Despite the setbacks from a grassroots level, Kenya’s passport strength has improved on the global stage.
Kenya also recorded strong growth in air travel, with passenger numbers rising significantly in 2025.
According to the latest Henley & Partners report published in March 2026, Kenya climbed from position 69 to 64 worldwide.
Regionally, Kenya now ranks 10th in Africa, behind countries including South Africa, Morocco, Seychelles, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, Eswatini, and Mauritius.
Passport Application Falls By 37% After Gov’t’s Quiet 50-Page Option Removal
