Kenya will soon roll out an internationally recognized Seafarer Identification Document (SID), with the process expected to be completed within the next three months.

This was revealed by Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services, Belio Kipsang, when he appeared before the National Assembly’s Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers Committee, chaired by Taita Taveta MP Lydia Haika.

Kipsang told the committee that a prototype of the SID has already been submitted to the International Labour Organization (ILO) for approval. The ILO has since shared feedback, which will be incorporated into a revised version of the card.

The updated card will carry real user information embedded in both the chip and a QR code before being resubmitted for the final review.

He further said that the State Department has acquired live capture equipment to handle the biometric registration of seafarers.

“The live capture system will be customized to align with the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) business processes, enabling enrolment and real-time transmission to the central processing system at the National Registration Bureau (NRB).” PS Kipsang

Explaining the significance of the document, the PS explained that the SID is different from the regular National ID, which is only used within Kenya. The SID must meet strict global standards because it will also serve as a travel document for Kenyan seafarers working in international waters.

Committee members questioned the three-month timeline and sought details on what remains to be done before the rollout. Kipsang explained that the final steps include completing a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) audit and certification process by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In addition, the government needs to install servers and networking systems to securely host the seafarer database at both KMA and NRB.

The PS assured MPs that his department is working closely with ICAO to meet all the requirements on time.

“We understand the urgency and importance of this document for our seafarers. We are on track, and within the next three months, it will be ready,” he said.

Once operational, the SID is expected to make it easier for Kenyan seafarers to travel, work, and comply with international maritime labour regulations, boosting their competitiveness in the global job market.