Date of publication:
08/21/2025
Kenya
Do domestic laws and policies provide for the issuance and renewal of travel documents to forcibly displaced and stateless persons for the purpose of international travel?
Assessment by population
Analysis
According to the Kenya citizenship and Immigration Act, 2011, article 2 (1), travel document is a document issued under this Act or issued by any lawful authority or Government recognized by the Government of Kenya for the purpose of travel. Further the Act, under article 25 (1) (h), provides that the issuance of convention travel documents (CTD) shall be done in accordance with the provisions of the Refugees Act. The Refugees Act, article 8, mandates the Commissioner, in collaboration with the Director of Immigration, to provide refugees with travel documents. Also, article 44 of the Refugees Act states that the regulations will provide the form and issuance of identification and travel documents for refugees and their family members. The Citizenship and Immigration Act, article 26 (7), provides that the travel documents shall be valid for a period of five years and would serve to travel to all countries except the country of the holder’s nationality. Therefore, Kenyan laws provide for refugees the right to be issued a Travel Document for the purpose of international travel.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
The Refugee Act
- Year: 2021
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Liberty & security of person, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2021/en/124231?prevDestination=search&prevPath=/search?keywords=refugee+act&order=desc&sm_country_name%5B%5D=Kenya&sort=score&result=result-124231-en
Legal provision
Article 8(1) (i) Commissioner for Refugee Affairs
There shall be a Commissioner for Refugee Affairs whose office shall be an office in the Public Service and who shall be the head of the Department in liaison with Director of Immigration, process and issue conventional travel documents.
Section 37 - Voluntary repatriation
A refugee who leaves Kenya on voluntary repatriation or who ceases to be a refugee for any other cause shall surrender all travel documents, identity cards, permits or any other documents which the refugee acquired by virtue of being a refugee and may take with him or her any movable property which he or she lawfully owns provided the refugee complies with any existing laws relating to property.
Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act
- Year: 2011
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Work & Workplace rights, Documentation
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2011/en/123212
Legal provision
Article 2(1) Interpretation.
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— “travel document” means a document issued under this Act or issued by any lawful authority or government recognized by the Government of Kenya for the purpose of travel.
Article 26(7) Passes
Travel Document issued to a refugee shall be valid for travel to all countries except the country of the holder’s nationality and shall be valid for a period of five years.
Article 32 Transit pass
(1) A passport shall be prima-facie evidence of the citizenship or domicile of the holder, as the case may be, and of their entitlement to state protection. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), possession of a passport or travel document does not bar inquiry, investigation or judicial proceedings pertaining to the validity of the passport.