Kenya orders refugees, asylum seekers to return passports within 30 days

The Department of Refugee Services (DRS) has issued a directive requiring all refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya to return their passports from their country of origin within 30 days, Kenya’s Capital News reported on Tuesday.

This follows concerns that some refugees are using these passports to travel outside the country, in violation of international and local refugee laws.

Commissioner for Refugee Affairs John Burugu cited the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, its 1967 Protocol and the Kenya Refugees Act No. 10 of 2021, which outline regulations governing travel refugees.

Refugees have the right to receive civil, identity and travel documents, including conventional machine-readable travel documents (CTDs) for travel out of Kenya, except to their country of origin.

“In light of these recent developments and concerns regarding the use of PASSPORTS from the country of origin, the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) hereby issues a MORATORIUM on the possession and use of such passports by refugees,” ordered Commissioner Burugu.

“Accordingly, in accordance with the 1951 United Nations Convention and the Refugee Act No. 10 of 2021, all refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya are required to surrender PASSPORTS from their country of origin to the Department services to refugees within thirty (30) days. days from the date of this notice.

The Commissioner stressed that the possession and use of such passports is now prohibited and that any refugee or asylum seeker who fails to comply with the directive risks facing legal consequences, including the cancellation of their refugee status. refugee.

He warned that this violation could also result in expulsion from Kenya, as provided for in Section 17 of the Refugee Act.

“Failure to comply with this directive may result in legal consequences as described in the above-mentioned international convention and Refugee Law No. 10 of 2021 and may result in legal implications including cancellation of refugee status and subsequent expulsion from the country of asylum, as provided for by law. Article 17 of the Refugee Law,” he warned.

The Commissioner urged all refugees and asylum seekers to surrender their passports to the Department of Refugee Services within the stipulated time to ensure that their status and rights are protected under Kenyan and international law.

He reiterated the commitment of the Department of Refugee Services to ensuring the welfare of refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya.

“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. The safety and well-being of all refugees in Kenya remains our top priority,” he said.