The Department of Immigration Services has made the recommending officer section optional on passport application forms. The change aims to streamline the process and reduce fraud risks. It was confirmed on Friday amid updates to the eCitizen platform.
The Department of Immigration Services confirmed that applicants no longer need a recommending officer for passport approvals. Officials noted that biometrics including fingerprints, national identity cards and photographs now provide direct verification against government databases.
Previously applicants had to find professionals such as doctors or lawyers who held valid Kenyan documents and were unrelated to them. Many struggled with this step and some paid for signatures.
The department said the update will curb forged endorsements and remove bottlenecks. It will place more weight on documents such as birth certificates and national identity cards.
