Kenya Passport Demand Crashes as Cost of Travel Documents Soars to Ksh12,500

Passport issuance in Kenya has taken a significant hit, with the latest figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) revealing a 36.7% drop in 2025. According to the Economic Survey 2026, the number of travel documents issued fell to 393,567, a sharp decline from the 621,794 issued in 2024.

This represents the steepest decline the country has seen in four years. Several converging factors appear to be driving this downward trend:

Cost Hikes: Significant increases in application fees, which saw the price of a standard 34-page passport rise from Ksh 4,550 to Ksh 7,500, have made the document less accessible for many.
Economic Pressure: Broader financial constraints on Kenyan households have shifted priorities away from international travel and toward essential living costs.
Reduced Demand: A cooling of the post-pandemic travel surge has resulted in fewer new applications.

Passport Issuance Trends (2024–2025)

Year	Passports Issued	Percentage Change
2024	621,794	—
2025	393,567	-36.7%

While the government has introduced reforms intended to streamline the process, including a pledge to reduce wait times to 72 hours for specific urgent categories, the data suggests that systemic hurdles remain. High costs and economic headwinds currently outweigh the benefits of improved processing speeds for a large portion of the population.

Public sentiment identifies the government’s systematic removal of lower-cost passport options as a primary driver behind the 36.7% drop in issuance. The move toward more expensive booklets has created a significant financial barrier for the average Kenyan.

The Disappearing “Affordable” Passport

The decline began in earnest following a series of policy shifts that effectively eliminated budget-friendly travel documents:

July 2025 Phase-Out: The government discontinued the 32-page (Series A) booklet for new applicants, citing supply chain and operational issues. Before this change, the entry-level passport cost Ksh 7,500.
Limited High-Cost Options: Following the phase-out, applicants were funneled into two “premium” tiers:
- 50-page (Series B): Ksh 9,500
- 66-page (Series C): Ksh 12,500
February 2026 Withdrawal: Accessibility worsened earlier this year when the 50-page booklet was quietly removed from the eCitizen portal for new applicants.

Current Impact

By removing the mid-tier 50-page option, many first-time applicants now find themselves facing the 66-page booklet at Ksh 12,500 as the only reliable option available on the platform. This represents a staggering 66% increase from the cost of the original “Series A” passport available just a year ago.

Critics and human rights advocates argue that these changes have turned a right to travel into a luxury for the wealthy. Without a long-term strategy to reintroduce smaller, more affordable booklets, the downward trend in passport acquisition is expected to continue as economic pressures further squeeze household budgets.

In a paradox of international standing versus domestic accessibility, Kenya’s passport has grown more powerful on the global stage even as fewer citizens can afford to hold one. While high costs have stifled local issuance, those who do possess the document now enjoy greater travel freedom.

Global and Regional Standing

According to the Henley & Partners Passport Index published in March 2026, Kenya’s passport strength surged, moving up five places from 69th to 64th globally. This climb reflects successful diplomatic efforts to secure more visa-free or visa-on-arrival agreements with other nations.

Regionally, Kenya has solidified its position as a top-tier mobility hub in Africa, currently ranking 10th on the continent. The African leaders in passport power include: