- Kenyans applying for passports can now have ray of hope after Interior CS Kithure Kindiki move to crush corruption cartels at Nyayo House.
- For the last two days, the CS has camped at the Immigration offices – declare it torture chambers for those seeking the crucial travel document.
Image: MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
Kenyans applying for passports can now cheer up after Interior CS Kithure Kindiki moved to crush corruption cartels at Nyayo House.
For the last two days, the CS has camped at the Immigration offices – he has declared it a crime scene and torture chamber for those seeking the crucial travel document.
“We will clean up this place from corruption cartels on anyone asking for bribes here. We will arrest and prosecute them,” Kindiki said when he made an impromptu visit to the place.
“We have already made some arrests and I want to make it clear that this space is not available for corruption.”
During the visit, the CS listened to the painful ordeal of ordinary Kenyans who have been forced to wait for several months to secure the documents – if they cannot pay the bribe.
“Kenyans, security officers and immigration officers working here who are doing a great job and I really applaud them to continue serving patriotic Kenyans. However, the public cannot be complaining in vain, there must be a few among us who are soiling our name,” he said
The problem has been compounded by the frequent breakdown of passport printing machines and the lack of printing papers.
“We have had two problems; technology and production. Then there was corruption that is facilitated by brokers,” the CS said.
“The few officers who are colluding with brokers to demand bribes from applicants of passports and other vital documents will be dealt with firmly.”
On Thursday, the CS disclosed the backlog had reduced from about 58,000 a fortnight ago to 44,000.
The backlog of 44,000 applications, Kindiki said, will be resolved within 14 days and all subsequent applications will be processed expeditiously.
On Friday, the CS turned to Nyayo House where he hinted at the state’s plan to have Kenyans get their passports within 12 hours of application.
“Our dream as a ministry is to have a one-day service. You apply in the morning and get the passport in the evening,” he told journalists.
The CS disclosed the war on corruption cartels will be extended to the regional immigration offices where Kenyans have complained of extortion and delays.
On Thursday, Kindiki said that no person will be allowed to hang around Nyayo House.
“The long story is this; we are committed to completing the journey we have started. Although there is progress, we are not yet there. The changes will be permanent,” he said.
In addition, access to the premises where vital security documents are processed will only be granted to applicants with the necessary documents and staff members.
Kindiki urged applicants to be cautious when seeking services to avoid being duped.
He said that no applicant should give any money to facilitate faster processing and issuance of passports.
The Interior CS said the Immigration Department will receive up to Sh1.3 billion in appropriation aid beginning the financial year 2023-24.
The money will enable the acquisition of new equipment, including printers, and revamp the department's infrastructure to offer better services to citizens across the country.