Kenyans applying for passports will no longer be required to provide a recommending officer as part of the application process, following changes introduced by the Department of Immigration Services (DIS).
The department has clarified that the section requiring details of a recommending officer is now optional, a move aimed at simplifying the process and improving the reliability of identity verification.
The clarification comes after confusion among applicants using the eCitizen platform, with many unsure whether the requirement had been removed completely or remained mandatory.
The department confirmed that passport applications will not be rejected simply because an applicant has not filled in the recommending officer section.
For many years, obtaining a recommending officer was one of the most challenging parts of the passport application process. Applicants were required to find a qualified person who could verify their identity, confirm that their passport photographs were a true likeness, and endorse the authenticity of the application.
In some cases, applicants struggled to find suitable individuals and ended up seeking help from strangers or paying for signatures to complete their forms.
Under the previous rules, recommending officers had to meet strict conditions. They were expected to hold a valid Kenyan passport or national identity card and could not be related to the applicant by blood or marriage. The role was often reserved for professionals such as doctors, lawyers, bankers, civil servants, and members of the clergy.
According to the department, advances in biometric verification have made third-party endorsements less necessary. During passport processing, applicants now undergo identity verification through fingerprints, national identity cards, and passport photographs that are matched against government databases. Officials say these systems provide a more reliable way of confirming a person’s identity than relying on recommendations from individuals whose identities could not always be verified.
The department noted that the old system created opportunities for abuse. Some applicants reportedly obtained endorsements from people who did not know them, while others relied on forged signatures or fake recommendations.
Immigration officials believe removing the requirement will help close loopholes that have been exploited by fraudsters and strengthen confidence in the passport issuance process.
DIS further emphasized that the recommending officer section should never stand in the way of a Kenyan obtaining a passport.
Instead, greater emphasis is now being placed on official records and documents already submitted during the application process, including national identity cards and birth certificates.
The change is also expected to reduce delays and unnecessary costs for applicants. By removing the pressure to find a recommender, the department hopes to eliminate informal payments that some applicants made to secure signatures and endorsements.
Immigration officials say the focus is shifting towards technology-driven verification systems that can be independently checked and validated.
The revised passport application process reflects that shift, with biometrics and official records now taking center stage in confirming identity and supporting passport approvals.
