Kenya is preparing to introduce a new green-coloured service passport for public servants and state officers travelling abroad on official government assignments.
Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services Belio Kipsang disclosed the plans while appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on Thursday, November 5.
Kipsang told MPs that the new travel document had already been printed and would be rolled out once the necessary administrative regulations were finalised.
The proposed passport is intended for government officials who travel on official assignments but do not qualify for diplomatic passports.
It will create an additional category of travel documents alongside the ordinary and diplomatic passports currently issued in the country.
Service passports have traditionally been issued to members of disciplined services, including police officers and military personnel travelling overseas on official duties.
The proposed changes come amid concerns raised by constitutional office holders and independent commissions over eligibility for diplomatic passports.
The Commission on Administrative Justice had raised concerns about what it described as unequal treatment of officials serving in constitutional offices.
The committee is also examining the regulations governing diplomatic passports, with discussions focusing on whether the existing framework adequately reflects changes introduced under the 2010 Constitution.
The government is expected to finalise the regulations before the new service passport is officially rolled out.
