The Directorate of Immigration Services under the Ministry of Interior has asked Kenyans to collect their passports across various offices in the country.
In a statement on March 5, 2024, the Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok noted that the government has intensified the printing of passports to clear the current backlog of applications that has been occasioned by a surge in demand.
Prof. Bitok added that applications are being processed on first-in-first-out basis subject to the availability of specific booklets determined by the number of pages paid for by each applicant.
“Applications are being processed on a first-in-first-out basis subject to the availability of specific booklets determined by the number of pages paid for by each applicant,” said the PS.
According to the update, a total of 58,330 passports are yet to be collected from immigration offices nationwide.
Immigration Department Lists Counties yet to Collet Passports
Bitok said Nairobi has the highest number of uncollected passports at 24,630. It is followed by Embu with 9,584, Kisumu 6087, Mombasa 5789, Eldoret 4,538, Nakuru 4466 and Kisii 3,238.
Immigration PS stated that the uncollected booklets were taking up spaces in the office.
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“We urge applicants who have already been notified that their passports are ready to collect them as soon as possible to free up storage spaces,” he noted.
For any inquiries related to passport collection or other immigrations services, individuals are encouraged to contact the Directorate of Immigration services through their website, [email protected].
CS Kindiki announces crackdown to end Passports Delay
In February, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki bore the responsibility for the slow pace of passport issuance.
Kindiki further recognized the challenges and disappointment Kenyans were facing in search for passports for different purposes.
He lamented that some had missed opportunities including jobs, medical treatment, education, business, or recreation.
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“The prevailing state of affairs is inexcusable, considering that it is the right of every Kenyan to acquire citizenship documents, including travel documents,” he said.
“As the Cabinet Secretary overseeing passport issuance, I take responsibility for the slow pace of reforms and the prevailing systemic inefficiencies,”
Nevertheless, Kindiki pledged to address the obstacles associated with passport issuance, to enhance efficiency and ensure prompt service delivery.
The CS also revealed that years of inadequate investment in production infrastructure, mounting debts to suppliers, and corrupt activities have impeded the government’s efforts to modernize the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services.
