Kenyans applying for new passports will now pay Ksh12,500 after the government quietly removed cheaper booklet options from the eCitizen portal.
A spot check shows applicants can only select the 66-page ordinary “C” series, following the removal of the 34-page and 50-page booklets that previously cost Ksh7,500 and Ksh9,500 respectively. Although the lower-cost options still appear on the application page, selecting them automatically defaults to the 66-page passport.
By the time of publishing, the government had not issued an official explanation for the change. The move effectively locks out applicants who may not require extra pages but must now pay the highest available fee.
The development follows earlier adjustments in July 2025, when the most affordable 34-page passport was withdrawn, citing operational and supply challenges. The rising cost is expected to strain job seekers and travellers, for whom passport fees are only part of broader migration-related expenses.
