In a bid to streamline and expedite the issuance of Kenyan passports, Acting Director General of Immigration Services, Evelyn Cheluget, has unveiled a comprehensive set of initiatives.
Addressing a gathering of immigration officers at Nyayo House, Cheluget shared her optimism that these measures would effectively tackle the persistent delays that have raised concerns among the public.
Under the freshly announced changes, a series of measures are set to be implemented:
- Expanded Workforce: The workforce will be expanded with additional staff members, some of whom will be stationed abroad to ensure smoother processing and issuance.
- Dedicated Emergency Counters: Specialized counters will be designated to handle emergency cases, ensuring prompt attention round the clock.
- Extended Operating Hours: New operating hours, spanning from 7:00 am to 8:30 pm, will accommodate a wider range of applicants and contribute to faster processing.
- Continuous Shifts: The introduction of day and night shifts, operating seven days a week, will further enhance efficiency in the processing workflow.
- Enhanced Resources: Investments in new booklets and advanced machines for 24/7 passport printing are planned to meet the increased demand.
Evelyn Cheluget emphasized the commitment to address the backlog issue: “We are diligently working towards improvement.
The passport section has transitioned to shifts, with dedicated counters for urgent cases, and we’re bolstering staff allocation for these urgent counters.”
This strategic overhaul is in response to mounting concerns over the persistent backlog in passport processing.
Kenyans have questioned the reasons behind the prolonged processing duration, which ideally should take between 10 to 15 days.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki voiced strong concern over the situation and pledged an effective resolution.
Speaking before a Parliamentary committee, Kindiki linked the delays to corruption and vowed to bring about reform: “A definitive change is imminent. Nyayo House will undergo a thorough transformation. It’s inconceivable that Kenyans must queue from dawn. Business as usual will not persist. We are resolute in cleansing Nyayo House.”
Kindiki disclosed that the current passport backlog stands at 58,000, while the Department of Immigration and Citizen Services currently processes around 5,000 passports daily.
He further revealed plans to expedite the passport issuance process to 7 days, and eventually reduce it to 3 days, even offering a 24-hour emergency issuance option.
As these measures take effect, Kenyan citizens are hopeful that their passport processing experience will soon become more efficient and responsive to their needs.
