Kenyan seafarers will soon be required to obtain an internationally recognized Seafarer Identification Document (SID), which will also serve as a travel document. This initiative aims to enhance mobility and security for seafarers, addressing concerns over job losses due to noncompliance with international maritime regulations. Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang announced that the SID is expected to be rolled out within three months, pending final approvals and system installations.
Kipsang revealed that a sample SID card has been submitted to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for approval, with updates to include embedded data in the chip and QR code. The State Department has also procured biometric enrollment units to facilitate the process. Unlike the National ID, the SID must meet global standards, allowing seafarers to cross borders seamlessly.
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by the fact that over 1,500 Kenyan seafarers have struggled to find work due to the lack of compliant SIDs. Kenya ratified the SID Convention in February 2022, but many have faced job losses as the enforcement deadline approaches. In contrast, Tanzania has successfully issued thousands of SIDs, positioning itself as a key maritime labor source in East Africa.
