Kenyans with pending passport applications can expect to receive their passports within a short span of just 3 weeks ~ 21 days.
This development follows a statement by Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, who announced that the state has received new passport printing booklets and is expecting an additional one million books in the coming weeks.
Furthermore, the state is set to receive two new passport printing machines by the end of March. The PS assured Kenyans that this would be the advent of clearing the printing backlog at various immigration offices in the country, especially in Nairobi.
“This evening, we’ve received printing booklets, a pivotal step in enhancing service delivery within the immigration department. With two new printers set to arrive by the end of this month and over 1 million booklets procured, expected to arrive soon, we’re primed to efficiently address the passport backlog,” the PS stated.
“This improvement ensures a smoother and faster process, ensuring that all applicants will now receive their passports within a maximum of 21 days.”
On previous occasions, the state has attributed the issue to the use of an old printer and a shortage of printing booklets.
I passed US visa interview in Nairobi but my passport was returned with pink slip
On March 5th, Bitok noted that the relevant departments were intensifying their operations to process and print passports to clear the backlog caused by a surge in demand.
Applications are being processed on a first-in-first-out basis subject to the availability of specific booklets determined by the number of pages paid for by each applicant.
In February, CS Kindiki took responsibility for the delayed progress in issuing travel documents. He acknowledged the pain and frustration experienced by many Kenyans seeking passports.
Some people have missed out on job opportunities, while others have been unable to access necessary medical care due to the delays.
“The prevailing state of affairs is inexcusable, considering that it is the right of every Kenyan to acquire citizenship documents, including travel documents. As the Cabinet Secretary overseeing passport issuances, I take responsibility for the slow pace of reforms and the prevailing system inefficiencies,” said Kindiki.
Additionally, he noted that the challenges faced by Kenyans are a result of corruption, slow investments in production infrastructure, and accumulated supplier debts.
He assured Kenyans that he would take the mantle to resolve the challenges faced at Immigration offices so that Kenyans can access services in the shortest time possible.