Tag: immigration department

The Immigration Department has moved to clear backlog of passports amid public outcry over delayed processing of the crucial travel document attributed to faulty machines.

Director General of Immigration and Citizen Services Ms. Evelyn Cheluget who met staff Monday morning announced several response measures to fast-track the issuance of passports including extended working hours (double shifts), setting up of designated emergency desks, and restoration of broken down machines.

Speaking against a backdrop of a stern warning by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to corrupt officials at Nyayo House, Ms Cheluget called upon officers to expedite the clearing process and be ready to work towards a paradigm shift, given the substantial number of passport applications by Kenyans.

According to the Immigration boss, the move was prompted by the backlog of 58,000 passport applications caused by a printing machine breakdown.

“The machines are now operational 24/7 after repairs allowing for daily processing. In addition, specific counters have been designated for emergency cases for individuals seeking to travel urgently” she said.

Delays in passport processing have caused inconvenience for citizens, with some waiting months for their documents.

The renewed focus on efficient processing by the Ministry aims to address the backlog and ensure smoother passport application processing.

Last Thursday Kindiki vowed to eradicate corruption that has bedeviled Nyayo House for years.

Appearing before the National Assembly’s Regional Integration Committee, the CS revealed he had embarked on intense efforts to rid the immigration department of massive graft in issuance of passports.

He said it was time he asserted his authority to ensure the vice is a thing of the past even if it means closing down the department and declaring it a crime scene.

Read more: It is time to clean up Nyayo House

 

DEVELOPING STORY

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has vowed to eradicate corruption that has bedeviled Nyayo House for years.

Appearing before the National Assembly’s Regional Integration Committee Thursday, the CS revealed he had embarked on intense efforts to rid the immigration department of massive graft in issuance of passports.

He said it was time he asserted his authority to ensure the vice is a thing of the past even if it means closing down the department and declaring it a crime scene.

Moreover, he had turned his attention back to the department after months of dealing with insecurity in various parts of the country.

Kindiki said he has already met the Director of Immigration and the Principal Secretary over the matter to ensure that Kenyans are getting the services they require.

At the same time, the CS put rogue officers on notice warning they will be dealt with for exploiting Kenyans.

This is not the first time immigration has been on the spot following public complaints about delays in processing applications.

In June the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) known as the Ombudsman released a damning report exposing malpractices in the issuance of passports.

The report, released by CAJ Chairperson Florence Kajuju revealed that Kenyans are overcharged for passports with fewer pages than they applied.

It added that the perennial backlog is largely caused by delayed approval of the procurement of printing booklets and the breakdown of printing machines.

“Many Kenyans lost their money when they falsely paid more money while applying for passports through the eCitizen platform,” Kajuju said while releasing the report.

“You cannot say that you do not require policy guidelines, yet you are setting up a system that then there are emerging challenges like refund mechanism.”