In a bid to tackle the persisting passport processing delays that have elicited public concern, the Immigration Department has instituted a series of strategic reforms.
The acting Director General of Immigration Services, Evelyn Cheluget, revealed these developments during a gathering of immigration officers at Nyayo House.
Cheluget emphasized that these changes aim to expedite the issuance of Kenyan passports, offering a remedy to the protracted delays that have stirred frustration among citizens.
She highlighted several key adjustments that will be implemented immediately to enhance the passport issuance process.
One significant change involves augmenting the workforce, with an increase in staff members and the deployment of officers to foreign locations.
Furthermore, dedicated counters will be established to handle urgent cases, ensuring a swift response to critical passport requests.
To maintain an efficient workflow, the implementation of day and night shifts from Monday to Sunday will be initiated.
Moreover, the window for submitting applications will be extended from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., accommodating a broader range of applicants.
Technical enhancements are also in the pipeline, including the acquisition of new booklets and the repair and procurement of advanced printing machines that facilitate continuous 24/7 passport production.
Cheluget stated, “We are committed to optimizing operations.
The passport section has transitioned to a shift-based system, with dedicated counters to address urgent matters and additional staffing at these counters.”
This initiative is a response to the backlog conundrum that has raised concerns among Kenyan citizens regarding the time-consuming passport application process.
The Directorate of Immigration Services reported printing 96,310 passports between July 13 and August 2023 at Nyayo House, with 53,750 processed during the day shift and 42,560 during the night shift.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, echoing public sentiment, expressed his determination to address the issue comprehensively.
In his parliamentary committee appearance, Kindiki attributed the delays to corruption and pledged to instigate corrective action.
Kindiki affirmed, “Nyayo House will undergo a comprehensive overhaul.
We will designate Nyayo House as a crime scene.
The status quo is untenable—Kenyans shouldn’t have to queue from dawn.
This is a transformational effort to revamp Nyayo House.”
Kindiki also revealed that plans are underway to expedite passport issuance timelines, with aspirations to reduce the processing period to 7 days, followed by further reductions to 3 days and even 24 hours for emergency cases.
