Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has said an emergency desk has been established at the immigration department in Nyayo House to fasten the processing of passports.
Kindiki spoke on Friday after visiting Nyayo House to assess the operations of the Immigration department.
"To streamline service delivery, emergency desks have been established 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," the CS said.
Kindiki also noted that the emergency desk will serve expectant mothers, parents or guardians accompanying minors, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
He said these groups of Kenyans will be accorded special attention at the immigration desks.
The CS reported that after monitoring operations at the department for the second day, tremendous progress has been recorded.
Further, he reiterated his stand on the fight against corruption in Nyayo house and told idlers to keep off the building.
"As directed yesterday, no person will be allowed to hang around the precincts of Nyayo House.
"Security officers will strictly enforce law and order, apprehend any person soliciting for bribes from applicants of passports and other citizenship documents," Kindiki said.
Kindiki said zero tolerance for corruption is non-negotiable and all persons seeking services at the Immigration Department must be treated with courtesy.
The CS said the ongoing policy and operational reforms at Nyayo House will be extended to all immigration offices countrywide, to facilitate efficient service delivery.
He said all effort and manpower had been deployed to clear the passport processing backlog within 14 days.
Kindiki said his ministry is addressing, with finality, the production challenges through the acquisition of modern printing machines, recruiting additional immigration officers and improving the department’s infrastructure.
"Visited Nyayo House, assessed progress in implementation of reviewed operations, 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."
