In my last post, I wrote about changing your phone number on the NTSA web portal, an online facility that was introduced for easy access to government services and to promote convenience.
The Kenyan government introduced a regulation in April 2015 that all passport applications should be done online using the eCitizen portal.
In this post, am going to discuss the full procedure involved in processing a Kenyan passport online, and as much as there are different methods of payment available, am going to use Lipa na Mpesa in this illustration.
This is a fully DIY task that doesn’t require much computer skills. If you can type in Microsoft office word, you are good to go.
If you don’t have an account on the eCitizen portal, you can create one, based on whether you are a Kenyan citizen, Visitor, Foreign resident or a business. To access the site, navigate to this link http://ecitizen.go.ke
You will be required to enter your National ID, and your first name, then click ‘Verify’. Your other details will be auto-populated from the registrar of persons’ database.
In 2015, filling in the email field was mandatory, and one had to confirm using a link received in the email inbox. However, this was modified and it no-longer works that way, you may skip the email field.
After filling in the email and your chosen password, agree to the terms and conditions then click ‘Continue’.
You will the be taken to the next screen where you will be required to enter you mobile phone number. The number should have never been used to create another account.
A verification message will then be sent to your phone. Use the code to confirm your new account.
After successful account creation, login to eCitizen portal using your ID number and password. Answer the captcha challenge and sign in.
After successful login, point to and select Department of Immigration services.
You will then be required to select from the list i.e Kenyan Passport, Visa or Temporary permit.
Select whether its for persons under 18 years or Adults. The next screen will consist of application guidelines alongside the costs. To start the application, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the blue button labeled Apply now.
Also read: How to register for KRA Pin on iTax
Note: Fill all the required details and review your form in case of any changes. If you need to make any rectificaitions, you have a chance to back and correct your details. Otherwise, click ‘continue’.
Payment
After clicking the blue button labeled ‘continue’ above, you will be redirected to a page with a variety of payment methods, but as I said earlier we are going to use Safaricom’s Lipa na m-pesa.
I noticed this page contains instructions on how to pay. Simply select a payment method and you will see the procedure. Remember the account number is just a one-time system-generated code that you may no longer after successful payment.
After payment, click on complete and you will see a message on your computer verifying that the bill has successfully been paid.
Print the filled in form and don’t forget to print 3 color copies of the invoice and forward the to the respective offices depending on where you are based. Remember this is the same City you filled as your location during the application i.e Nairobi, Mombasa or Kisumu.
