Evelyn Cheluget is the first woman to serve as the Director General of Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration Services, a government agency responsible for border control, passports, citizenship, and migration management.
She officially assumed the role on May 15, 2023, following a distinguished career that began in 1994 when she joined the department as an Immigration Officer.
Cheluget has risen steadily through merit and consistent performance for over 30 years, gaining hands-on experience in every major aspect of immigration operations and policy. She succeeded Alexander Muteshi as Director General of Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration Services
Evelyn Cheluget Career Roles and Leadership Experience
Cheluget’s long career has exposed her to both domestic and international immigration operations. She has held several senior roles, including:
- Director of Immigration Services in charge of Citizenship
- Head of Border Management, overseeing Kenya’s key entry and exit points
- Officer in Charge of Immigration at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), one of the busiest gateways into the country
- Head of the Visa Section
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- Head of the Nairobi Passport Application Centre
- Immigration Attaché at the Kenyan Embassy in Washington, D.C., where she represented Kenya in migration and travel‑security matters
Her broad experience has given her a deep understanding of policy, operations, and international cooperation — all essential in running the country’s immigration systems.
Education and Professional Training
Cheluget’s academic background provides a strong foundation for her leadership in such a sensitive and security‑focused government role. She began her higher education at Egerton University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, building the communication and analytical skills needed in public service.
She later advanced her studies at the University of Nairobi, graduating with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Management, a qualification that strengthened her ability to oversee large teams, manage national‑level operations, and guide policy reforms within the immigration sector.
Beyond her academic degrees, Evelyn Cheluget enhanced her professional capabilities at the National Defense College (NDC), Kenya’s premier institution for senior leadership training in national security, governance, and strategic planning.
This program exposed her to high‑level decision‑making, complex security scenarios, and inter‑agency coordination, all of which are important for running an institution directly linked to border security and national safety.
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Awards, Recognition, and Reforms Under Her Tenure
As the first woman to lead the Directorate, Cheluget’s appointment was widely celebrated as a breakthrough in Kenya’s public service.
On September 10, 2023, she received the Best Immigration Woman of Inspiration Award at the Africa Public Sector Conference and Awards, honouring her 28‑year service and trailblazing career. She has also received two prestigious national honours:
- Order of the Golden Warrior (OGW) – December 12, 2022
- Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS) – December 12, 2023
Under her leadership, the Directorate of Immigration Services has rolled out several reforms to improve efficiency.
These include the acquisition of modern, high‑capacity passport‑printing machines, better supply‑chain consistency for passport materials, and streamlined internal processes.
These changes have significantly reduced passport issuance timelines in many cases to 3–7 days, improving service delivery for thousands of Kenyans.
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