NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 2 – A Nairobi-based law firm has petitioned the Directorate of Immigration Services seeking detailed records over the alleged irregular issuance of Kenyan passports to foreign nationals, intensifying scrutiny on Kenya’s citizenship and vetting processes.
In a letter dated February 27, 2026 and addressed to the Director General at Nyayo House, the advocates invoked Article 35 of the Constitution and the Access to Information Act to demand disclosure of documents tied to 28 named individuals said to have obtained Kenyan passports under unclear circumstances.
The firm is seeking copies of passport applications, supporting documents, payment receipts, security and vetting clearance reports, approval memos and correspondence, including any records relating to expedited or express passports allegedly processed through State House directives or special clearances.
“Pursuant to Article 35 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, and Sections 4, 6, and 8 of the Access to Information Act, 2016, I hereby make a formal application for access to the following information and records held by your department,” the letter states.
It further requests “all internal correspondence, directives, emails, minutes, or instructions including from State House, the Office of the President, or any other authority relating to the waiver or bypassing of standard passport application requirements.”
The application also demands records showing dates of submission, approval, payment and issuance of the passports, including any justifications for expedited processing, as well as reports of internal investigations or disciplinary proceedings initiated after the matter came to public attention.
The request comes amid mounting public debate since February 2026 following allegations circulating on social media and in sections of the press that several foreign nationals may have been issued Kenyan passports through special directives that bypassed standard residency, vetting and fee requirements.
The controversy has drawn in political leaders, civil society actors and legal experts, with calls for clarity on whether due process was followed and whether any waivers were lawfully granted.
Concerns have also been raised about the broader implications for national security, international travel credibility and Kenya’s compliance with global immigration and border control standards.
