Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | The Department of Refugee Services (DRS) in Kenya has announced a new policy requiring all refugees and asylum seekers to hand over their original passports from their home countries within a 30-day timeframe.
This directive follows rising concerns regarding the misuse of these passports, as some refugees have been traveling abroad, breaching both international regulations and local refugee laws.
John Burugu, the Commissioner for Refugee Affairs, referenced the 1951 United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees, its 1967 Protocol, and Kenya’s Refugees Act No. 10 of 2021, which establish the legal framework for refugee travel.
Under these regulations, refugees are eligible for Civil, Identity, and Travel documents, including Machine Readable Conventional Travel Documents (CTDs), for journeys outside of Kenya, with the exception of returning to their countries of origin.
“In light of these recent developments and concerns regarding the use of PASSPORTS from the country of origin, the Department of Refugee Services, (DRS) is hereby issuing a MORATORIUM on the possession and use of such passports by refugees,” Commissioner Burugu ordered.
“Accordingly, pursuant to the United Nations 1951 Convention and the Refugee Act No. 10 of 2021, all refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya are hereby required to surrender the PASSPORTS from their country of origin to the Department of Refugee Services within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice.”
The Commissioner stressed that holding or using passports from countries of origin is now strictly forbidden. Refugees and asylum seekers who do not adhere to this directive may face legal repercussions, including the possible revocation of their refugee status.
He also cautioned that violating this regulation could lead to expulsion from Kenya, in accordance with Section 17 of the Refugees Act.
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“Failure to comply with this directive may result in legal consequences as outlined in the aforementioned international convention and the Refugee Act No. 10 of 2021 and may lead to legal implications including cancellation of refugee status and subsequent expulsion from the country of asylum as provided by Section 17 of the Refugees Act,” he warned.
The Commissioner called on all refugees and asylum seekers to submit their passports to the Department of Refugee Services within the given deadline to ensure their legal status and rights are safeguarded under both Kenyan and international law.
He reaffirmed the Department’s dedication to protecting the welfare of refugees and asylum seekers residing in Kenya.
“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. The safety and well-being of all refugees in Kenya remain our top priority,” he said.
