Kenya: Information on whether a passport can be obtained officially and/or unofficially without an identity card
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | KEN15705.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Kenya: Information on whether a passport can be obtained officially and/or unofficially without an identity card, 1 January 1994, KEN15705.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab1d0.html [accessed 19 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The High Commission of the Republic of Kenya in Ottawa was unable to provide information on the above topic. According to Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1992, however, Kenyans of Somali ethnic origin are required to possess a Kenyan identification card and a second identification verifying "screening" before they can be issued a passport (1993, 126). The source states that the screening process was introduced by the Government in 1990 when ethnic Somalis were required to have their claims to Kenyan citizenship verified by a panel of elders (ibid.). According to Africa Watch, "the rationale behind the screening policy was to identify Somali nationals living in the country who may have entered the country illegally or who have remained there without valid documents, upon the expiry of their original visas" (6 Dec. 1989, 2). The source states that the exercise turned into a "witch hunt" and culminated in violence and intimidation of the Somali community in Kenya. Several Somalis were arrested and deported (News from Africa Watch 5 Sept. 1990). As a result of the screening and the resulting violence and intimidation, thousands of Somalis residing legally or illegally Kenya were reportedly forced to flee the country and seek refuge in other African countries and the West (ibid.).
For a detailed account of the screening of ethnic Somalis in Kenya, please refer to the attached documents.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
News from Africa Watch [New York]. 5 September 1990. "Kenya: Screening Ethnic Somalis: The Cruel Consequences of Kenya's Passport System."
. 6 December 1989. "Kenya: Harrassment of Ethnic Somalis."
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1992. 1993. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
Attachments
News from Africa Watch [New York]. 5 September 1990. "Kenya: Screening Ethnic Somalis: The Cruel Consequences of Kenya's Passport System."
. 6 December 1989. "Kenya: Harrassment of Ethnic Somalis."
