State Department of Immigration and Citizen Services has announced a dedicated Passport Delivery Week from May 13th to May 18th, 2024.
This initiative according to Immigration department aims to fast-track the delivery of passports to applicants across all application centers in the country.
“To enhance passport issuance, we have dedicated 13th-18th May 2024 to the fast tracking of passport delivery in all passport application centers across the country,” reads part of the statement.
The Directorate of Immigration Services, under the Ministry of Interior and National Administration organized this week-long service delivery event to efficiently manage the distribution of passports to eligible individuals.
The centers participating in this initiative include key regions namely Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Embu, Nakuru, Kisii, and Kericho.
Passport Applicants Encouraged to Utilize Delivery Week
In addition, the ministry encouraged applicants who have received notifications confirming the readiness of their passports for collection to capitalize on this opportunity.
“Applicants who have received notification that their passports are ready for collection are advised to take advantage of the exercise,” stated Immigration department.
The government indicated that applicants should expect a smoother and quicker process for obtaining their travel documents by utilizing the one week provided.
This move comes after Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kithure Kindiki, declared the commencement of the distribution for the final batch of over 700,000 delayed passports.
Addressing the public on Monday, May 6, Kindiki assured that measures had been put in place to expedite the collection of the remaining 45,000 passports.
Also Read: Kindiki Gives Way Foward on Collection of Final Batch of 45,000 Passports
“We are in the process of transforming the service delivery in relation to the issuance of the Kenyan passports as well as creating efficiency in the delivery of critical Citizen Services, notably identity documents, birth certificates, passports as well the management of foreign nationals in Kenya,” stated CS Kindiki.
The recent announcement builds upon the CS’s prior commitment to overhaul the passport issuance process, tackling longstanding issues such as delays caused by underfunding, corruption, supply chain disruptions, and delivery inefficiencies.
Addressing the public, Kindiki acknowledged the government’s success in clearing the backlog of pending passports, which had been reduced from 724,000 in March 2024 to under 50,000.
Also Read: Passport Delays: Kindiki Issues Directives After Ending Nyayo House Crisis
Shorter Waiting Periods for Passport Applicants
Furthermore, Kindiki disclosed that applicants would now experience a shorter waiting period, with passports set to be delivered within 21 days of application starting from May 1, 2024.
He also outlined a progressive timeline for further reduction in waiting times: down to seven days from August 1, and eventually to just three days from November 1, 2024.
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