Refugees in Kenya using passports of their country of origin risk losing their status

Refugees in Kenya have been ordered to surrender the passports of their countries of origin to the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) for transmission to the Directorate of Immigration, which holds custody of all passports.

In a statement released by John Burugu, the Commissioner for Refugees, the department warned that refugees still using their country of origin passports instead of the Convention Travel Documents (CTDs) risk losing their refugee status and facing expulsion from Kenya.

A Convention Travel Document.

"It has come to the attention of the DRS that some asylum seekers and refugees are using passports from their countries of origin for travel outside Kenya instead of the CTDs," the statement read.

"Using a passport from the country of origin jeopardises your refugee status and may lead to legal consequences, including the cancellation of refugee status and subsequent expulsion from the country, as provided under Section 17 of the Refugee Act."

The department invoked the Refugee Act, which grants the Commissioner of Refugees the authority to cancel refugee status when an individual recognised as a refugee has fraudulently misrepresented or omitted material facts that, if known, would have changed the decision to grant refugee status, or when new evidence becomes available that the individual should not have been recognised as a refugee.

To all refugees: Using passports from your country of origin puts your refugee status at risk of cancellation or your expulsion from Kenya. Kindly apply for a CTD& surrender your passport to the Department of Refugee Services during registration. #CTDs #ShirikaPlan @burugu_j pic.twitter.com/1e5EyU4Bk4

— Department of Refugee Services (@DRSKenya) September 12, 2024

Refugees were urged to comply with all Kenyan laws, particularly the provisions of the Refugee Act No. 10 of 2021 and the 1951 United Nations Convention, warning that failure to do so could result in the cancellation of refugee status or expulsion from the country.

The department also instructed refugees to ensure they have valid CTDs and other documentation that complies with their refugee status to access services and protection.

Additionally, the DRS encouraged refugees to liaise with the department regarding any concerns on the matter.