State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services Stories

Government launches national ID registration for 18-year-old secondary school students
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jun 03, 2025

The State Department for Immigration and Citizen Service said this will help students avoid delays in accessing tertiary education, job opportunities,...

IOM encourages Eastleigh community to embrace digital finance for smarter money management
Abdirahman Khalif  |  May 26, 2025

Many residents in Eastleigh receive financial support from relatives abroad, and the event aimed to offer them practical information on safer and more...

High court intervenes to protect Garissa resident detained by DCI, immigration officials
Joseph Ndunda  |  May 22, 2025

Through lawyer Kibiku Njenga, Mohamed had told the High Court that although his arrest was unlawful, without an explanation of any offences he could h...

Revealed: Boniface Mwangi, Agather Atuhaire not deported, still held by Tanzania immigration
Lucy Mumbi  |  May 21, 2025

Kenyan activists including VOCAL Africa CEO Hussein Khalid, expressed concern over the whereabouts of both Mwangi and Atuhaire following their apprehe...

IGAD convenes experts' forum to tackle migration, urban growth challenges
Lucy Mumbi  |  May 20, 2025

The conference brings together researchers, policymakers, civil society organisations, development partners and government representatives from across...

IGAD raises alarm over rising migration and urban strain in the Horn of Africa
Mary Wambui  |  May 17, 2025

The organisation further noted that policy responses by governments, humanitarian, and development actors are often framed through a rural lens, and t...

What causes inequality in African countries? New book traces a vicious cycle
The Conversation  |  May 12, 2025

Inequality is created by, among other factors, where you are born and live. Alongside this, income, assets, and access to education and healthcare dif...

Govt to demolish EPZ factories for wildlife corridor linking Nairobi Park to Kapiti Plains
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Apr 29, 2025

The Wildlife department hopes that, in the long run, the corridor will connect Nairobi National Park to the Amboseli ecosystem, creating a broader hab...

Migrant boat sinks off Tunisia with at least eight dead, 29 rescued
Reuters  |  Apr 28, 2025

Search operations were underway for possible missing persons, said Houssem Eddine Jebabli, an official in the national guard.

Parliamentary Budget Office projects Sh40 million annual revenue from Diaspora Citizenship Bill
Lucy Mumbi  |  Apr 22, 2025

The revenue will stem from the estimated four million Kenyans living in the diaspora, with a small percentage, 0.01 per cent, of them expected to appl...

Up to 400,000 displaced from Darfur camp after Sudan RSF takeover, UN agency says
Reuters  |  Apr 15, 2025

The RSF seized control of the camp on Sunday after a four-day assault that the government and aid groups have said left hundreds dead or wounded.

How to apply for your child’s passport as demand rises in Kenya
Margaret Wanjiru  |  Apr 06, 2025

All applications must be completed online via the eCitizen portal, where the parent or guardian is required to input key details, including the child’...

Senators question rising number of foreign workers in Kenya
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Mar 27, 2025

They argued that an increasing number of foreigners are taking up jobs in small-scale enterprises, salons, barbershops, and even hawking, positions th...

PS reshuffle: Julius Bitok moved to education as Kipsang exits to Immigration
Lucy Mumbi  |  Mar 20, 2025

Among those reshuffled is Immigration PS Julius Bitok, who has been reassigned to the State Department for Basic Education, replacing Belio Kipsang.

Agencies of shame: How state departments spent Sh14 billion with no tangible results
Lucy Mumbi  |  Mar 17, 2025

Nyakang’o has now called for stricter budget monitoring and adherence to results-based allocation of resources to enhance service delivery.

Gov't increases immigration department budget to Sh20.1bn amid rising passports demand
Lucy Mumbi  |  Feb 20, 2025

According to the Directorate of Immigration, an estimated 5,000 passport applications are processed daily, highlighting the growing demand for travel...

Bodies of 11 more migrants found in southeast Libya, security official says
Reuters  |  Feb 14, 2025

The International Organisation for Migration said on Monday that the bodies found in two mass graves in Libya bore gunshot wounds.

US agents raid New Jersey worksite as Trump escalates immigration crackdown
Reuters  |  Jan 24, 2025

Trump issued a raft of executive orders after taking office on Monday that aim to clamp down on illegal immigration. He has taken steps to punish offi...

Immigration department cancels controversial tourist insurance tender amid backlash
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jan 21, 2025

The decision follows protests from local insurers who accused the government of discrimination in the bidding process.

Treasury boosts Immigration Department’s budget to tackle delays in issuance of crucial documents
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jan 20, 2025

The Treasury clarified that the new funding model is a one-off arrangement meant to meet specific needs.

Donald Trump promises harsh immigration limits on his first day in office as US president
Reuters  |  Jan 20, 2025

He vowed to repeal "every radical and foolish executive order of the Biden administration" within hours of assuming the presidency.

Immigration department faces backlash over controversial foreign visitors’ insurance tender
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Jan 16, 2025

The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority has weighed in on the matter, warning that the restricted tender violates several procurement laws.

Bill seeks to allow citizenship for Africans in diaspora with Kenyan roots
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jan 05, 2025

Applicants must provide proof of Kenyan descent, a clean criminal record, and a genetic genealogy test conducted by Kenyan authorities.

Kenya joins list of Africa’s best travel destinations for 2025
Lucy Mumbi  |  Jan 02, 2025

Kenya, a country where nature thrives, continues to captivate visitors with its diverse offerings.

Kenya, UN launch Sh3.7bn programme to improve refugee mobility, integration
Alfred Onyango  |  Dec 20, 2024

The initiative majorly seeks to improve governance and strengthen service delivery towards empowering communities affected by migration.

State clears passport backlog, opens new offices to ease access for job seekers
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Dec 20, 2024

The government has revealed that it has bought one million passport booklets and recruited 300 new immigration officers to meet the growing demand.

PS Bitok: State to hasten processing of dual citizenship requests for Kenyan diaspora
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Dec 13, 2024

The PS noted that the policy aims to encourage those who migrated abroad and acquired other nationalities to invest more in Kenya.

Somalia repatriates 22 nationals detained in Sudan
Mwangi Maina  |  Dec 09, 2024

The successful repatriation was achieved through coordinated efforts involving several officials and agencies.

Young author publishes memoir highlighting challenges of illegal migration
Abdirahman Khalif  |  Dec 10, 2024

Her book, divided into 11 chapters, is written in the form of poetry. It recounts her life experiences and warns readers, particularly young girls, ab...

MPs demand state intervention to forestall a potential refugee management crisis
Lucy Mumbi  |  Nov 28, 2024

Environmental degradation in areas with high refugee populations was also raised as a concern.

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