The Government has resolved procurement challenges that delayed the rollout of Kenya’s Seafarers’ Identity Document (SID), with the new electronic system now expected to be fully operational before the end of 2026.
Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Ali Joho made the announcement while appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers to respond to concerns over delays in issuing the internationally recognised identification documents for Kenyan seafarers.
The Committee, chaired by Lydia Haika, was informed that implementation of the new SID system is underway after the contract for the turnkey solution was awarded to Konza Technopolis in June 2026.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the project has a tentative implementation period of six months, with commissioning of the system expected before the end of the year.
CS Joho told Members that preparations for the SID production facility at Bahari Towers are progressing well. He said the Government is working with the Communications Authority of Kenya to meet security certification requirements, while installation of the necessary ICT infrastructure is ongoing. He added that the card personalisation machine has already been completed.
Addressing the cause of the delays, Joho attributed the setback to procurement-related technicalities that affected the acquisition of the SID turnkey solution. He, however, assured the Committee that the issues had been resolved and the Government is now focused on completing the remaining processes required to operationalise the system.
He further committed to delivering a secure, internationally compliant electronic SID system within the planned timeline, revealing that the first five pilot Seafarers’ Identity Documents are expected to be produced in October this year for testing.
Members of the Committee raised concerns over the six-month implementation timeline, saying Kenyan seafarers have waited long enough for the crucial document.
Ruweida Obo and Pamela Njoki urged the Ministry to fast-track the rollout, arguing that the implementation period was too lengthy given the demand from Kenyan seafarers seeking employment abroad.
Responding to the concerns, CS Joho defended the timeline, saying the Government could not afford to compromise on security and international compliance.
“It was important for us to get this right since these are critical security documents to be used globally. The issuance of these SIDs is a sensitive matter, hence we must make sure whatever is issued passes global tests and standards,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary added that Kenya is working closely with the International Labour Organization to ensure the new electronic SID system complies with ILO Convention No. 185 as well as applicable International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Once operational, the electronic Seafarers’ Identity Document is expected to enhance the mobility of Kenyan seafarers by providing a globally recognised identification document that meets international security requirements, thereby improving their access to employment opportunities in the global maritime industry.
