Interior Cabinet Secretary nominee Kithure Kindiki has said the Ministry has completed the backlog for passports and will now start issuing them within seven days.
He noted that when he assumed office in 2022, passport application and collection was a major crisis but the same was solved.
"We have even upscaled our ICT system and we have cleared the backlog from 784,000 and today there is no backlog," Kindiki said on Thursday.
He said that the ministry will issue passports within seven days starting August 1, adding that that was the deadline which they complied with four weeks ago.
He said the next deadline is to bring the passport waiting period to three days by November 1, 2024.
Kindiki also said they have not only paid pending bills to the suppliers but also have enough printing equipment for the personalisation of passports.
"We are on course. Of course, there are small challenges here and there. We have not eradicated corrupt staff," he said.
The CS nominee said they have a new crop of staff, about 120 people, but they are not sure that corruption has been eradicated from the directorate.
"We will be working on that if reappointed to ensure we clean the whole place," Kindiki said.
On Sunday, the Directorate of Immigration Services announced a simplification of the passport collection process, saying applicants no longer need to book appointments to pick up their passports.
The DIS said applicants will receive a message from the Immigration Department, confirming that their application has been processed and passport printed.
Thereafter applicants will proceed to the collection desk, at the respective places where they applied and pick up their documents.
They added that the changes come in response to public feedback and are part of the Directorate's commitment to enhancing efficiency and accessibility.
"The Directorate of Immigration Services is listening and open to all emerging issues."
The Directorate encouraged the public to reach out to them in case of any concerns or suggestions.
