President Ruto Says It Will Now Take 48–72 Hours to Get a New Passport

President William Ruto has announced that Kenyans will now get their passports within 48 to 72 hours, especially for those travelling abroad for jobs.

Speaking on Saturday, March 28 at the Ambassadors and High Commissioners’ Conference held at Kenyatta International Convention Centre, the President said the government has improved the passport application process to reduce long waiting times.

According to him, Kenyans who secure jobs abroad no longer need to wait weeks or months for their passports.

“We now have a clear system for those seeking jobs abroad. Once you have a job, you can get your passport within 2 to 3 days,” Ruto said.

Faster Passport Processing

The government has introduced new systems to speed up passport production. Two high-speed printers have been installed, capable of producing more than 10,000 passports per day, exceeding usual demand.

This is a big improvement compared to previous years. In 2022, getting a passport could take between a few days and several weeks after submitting documents and biometric details.

At the time, there was a huge backlog of over 700,000 applications, forcing some Kenyans to wait up to six months to receive their passports.

Current Situation on the Ground

Despite the President’s announcement, the situation is still mixed. As of March 2026, many Kenyans report receiving their passports within 7 to 10 days, which is faster than before.

However, some applicants still face delays when trying to book biometric appointments, especially at busy centres like Nyayo House.

The eCitizen platform, which is used to apply for passports, still shows that:

First-time applicants may wait about 10 working days
Renewals can take around 5 working days

Boost to Jobs Abroad

President Ruto also revealed that improving passport services has helped more Kenyans travel for work opportunities abroad.

So far, over 540,000 Kenyans have secured jobs outside the country through government-supported programs.

Kenyan Passport Ranking Improves

Kenya’s passport has also become stronger globally. According to the Henley Passport Index, the Kenyan passport has improved its position from 73rd in 2025 to 64th in 2026.

In Africa, Kenya now ranks among the top 10 most powerful passports, and it remains the strongest in East Africa, ahead of: