Kindiki Issues Directives In Second Nyayo House Visit In A Row

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki on Friday, September 1 made an impromptu visit to Nyayo House for the second successive day to inspect the progress of reforms carried out to expedite passport processing.

In a statement, the CS revealed that the second visit to the government premises which has been on the spot over over corruption within the government facility, saw him monitor operations at the Immigration Department and that tremendous progress has been recorded.

"As directed yesterday, no person will be allowed to hang around the precincts of Nyayo House and security officers will strictly enforce law and order, and apprehend any person soliciting bribes from applicants of passports and other citizenship documents," directed the CS.

Interior CS, Kithure Kindiki visits the Immigration Department at Nyayo House on September 1, 2023. /KITHURE KINDIKI

He added that the ongoing policy and operational reforms at Nyayo House have been extended to all immigration offices countrywide, to facilitate efficient service delivery.

"Zero tolerance to corruption is non-negotiable and all persons seeking services at the Immigration Department must be treated with courtesy," he added.

Kindiki moved to establish emergency desks to expedite the processing of passports for applicants seeking medical care abroad, students destined to learning institutions abroad and persons who have secured job opportunities in foreign countries and have reporting deadlines, to streamline service delivery.

Expectant and lactating mothers, parents or guardians accompanying minors, the elderly and persons with disabilities will also be accorded special attention at the immigration desks. 

The CS also revealed that the production challenges will be addressed through the acquisition of modern printing machines, recruitment of additional immigration officers and improvement of the department’s infrastructure to clear the passport processing backlog of 44,000 applications within 14 days.

He commended immigration officers who are diligently serving citizens and appealed for patience from applicants as we fix the systemic challenges that have for years, hampered service delivery in the Immigration department.

Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services Julius Bitok on Thursday, August 31 revealed that the government was producing around 3,600 passports per day.

"We have managed to reduce the backlog that was around 100,000 passports to around 45,000. We are projecting that in the next two weeks, there will be no backlog," Bitok stated.

"We believe it will be possible to get passports within three days. We going to introduce express services to ensure that Kenyans get passports within the shortest time possible."

Interior CS, Kithure Kindiki visits the Immigration Department at Nyayo House on September 1, 2023. /KITHURE KINDIKI