Guide to Obtaining a Diplomatic Passport

Diplomatic Kenyan passports are issued to Kenyan diplomats, senior kenyan government officials and other authorized representatives who are traveling abroad for official duties.

The specific procedure to follow when applying for a diplomatic passport is to obtain a letter from  the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming eligibility.

Eligibility for a Diplomatic Passport is generally restricted to the following officials or employees of the  Kenyan Government and their dependents.

• President and immediate family members
• Prime Minister and immediate family members
• Vice President/Deputy president and immediate family members
• Cabinet Secretary and spouse(s)
• Secretary to the Cabinet and spouse(s)
• Principal Secretaries and spouse(s)
• Speakers of National Assembly and the Senate and spouse(s)
• Chief Justice and spouse(s)
• Deputy Chief Justice and spouse(s)
• Justices of Supreme Court and spouse(s)
• Justices of Court of Appeal and spouse(s)
• Attorney General and spouse(s)
• Director of Public Prosecutions and spouse(s)
• Solicitor General and spouse(s)
• Controller of Budget and spouse(s)
• Auditor General and spouse(s)
• Governor of the Central Bank and spouse(s)
• Clerk of the National Assembly and spouse(s)
• Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces and spouse(s)
• Service Commanders of the Kenya Defence Forces and spouse(s)
• Director-General of the National Intelligence Service and spouse(s)
• Inspector General of the National Police Service and spouse(s)
• County Governor and spouse(s)
• Aide-De-Camp to the President
• Former Presidents and spouse(s)
• Former Prime Minister and spouse(s)
• Former Vice Presidents and spouse(s)
• Foreign Service Officer, spouse and dependant children below the age of 19 years

STEP-1 : Obtain a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming eligibility.

STEP-2 : Visit the immigration offices with the letter to apply in person alternatively you can apply online on the eCitizen portal.

STEP-3 : Fill out the Kenya passport application Form 19.

STEP-4 : Attach the required documents, including:

• Letter from the Minstry of Foreign Affairs.
• Old Passport or original Birth Certificate and National Identity Card.
• Certified copy of the recommender’s National Identity Card.
• Three colored Passport size photographs.
• Proof of payment receipt.
• Parents’ National ID cards copies or Death Certificate if deceased.

STEP-5 : Submit the application, make payment and wait for processing.

Processing time typically takes about 5 working days.

• The Diplomatic Passport is valid for a period not exceeding 10 years from the date of issue or upon the official end of the holder's term of office.

• For children, the validity period does not exceed 5 years.

In conclusion, the Diplomatic Passport is more than just a travel document; it symbolizes Kenya's global presence and the significant role played by its diplomats and key government officials.