Govt Forced to Apologize After Error in New Service Fees

Principal Secretary in the department of Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu was on Wednesday, November 8, forced to apologize over an error in the newly published list of citizen registration service fees.

In a statement, Njogu responded to concerns raised by Kenyans on the issue of Kenyans living in the diaspora who sought to secure Kenya’s citizenship for their children.

The new list of fees for various citizen registration services showed that Kenyans in the diaspora seeking to apply for permanent residency of their children would henceforth pay Ksh 1 million and Ksh200,000 as issuance fee.

However, the PS clarified the issue noting that the fee only applies for children of foreigners seeking permanent residency in Kenya. 

In her statement, Njogu noted that her Immigration counterpart Julius Bitok had assured that Permanent Residence fees for children of Kenyan citizens was erroneously entered when printing the notice. 

Additionally, Diaspora PS assured Kenyans that efforts to rectify the gazette were underway.

“Further to my last tweet, I have engaged with Julius Bitok PS Immigration and Citizen Services,” Njogu stated. 

“He has assured me that the Permanent Residence fees for children of Kenyan citizens were entered in error.”

Her apology came amid anxiety and jitters from Kenyans who complained about the new set fees. 

In an earlier statement, PS Njogu had asserted that a child whose mother or father is a Kenyan Citizen, is a citizen by birth. 

As such, she stated, such parents do not need to apply for permanent residency for their children.

Also Read: Govt Makes Changes to Application of IDs, Birth & Death Certificates

Instead, she advised them to seek the usual citizenship documents (ID, passport, etc) by applying through the nearest Kenya Embassy.

Kenyans criticize move to increase fees for services

The new list of fees charged for citizen registration services caused an online stir with a section of Kenyans complaining about the increment.

Fees for some services went up by a significant amount, triggering reactions from Kenyans as to whether the increment were justifiable.

Kenyans seeking to apply for IDs, for instance, will have to part with Ksh1,000 while those seeking to replace their lost IDs will have to pay Ksh2,000.

Also Read: Govt Starts Issuing New Digital IDs to Kenyans

In addition, fees paid during the application of the normal passport went up to Ksh12,000 from the previous Ksh7,500 for the 66-page passport.

Those seeking to apply for the 34-page passport will also have to dig deeper into their pockets after the state increased the fees from Ksh4,500 to Ksh7,500.

Among Kenyans who raised concerns about the new fees include Kimilili Member of Parliament who termed the move retrogressive. 

“This is retrogressive to say the least, people get dishonest in presence of power and Money,” Barasa stated.

“These characters seem power drunk, eating taxes with a big spoon, wearing the most expensive designer shoes and vomiting remnants on Kenyans who walk bare feet! things are taking.“