Kenyans Holding Passports
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The Kenyan Parliament has set its sights on streamlining the passport application process for citizens.
A recent recommendation proposes that applicants receive their passports within three days of submitting their applications. This ambitious goal is coupled with a call for the establishment of additional immigration offices across the country. Previously, acquiring a passport often involved long and inconvenient journeys to Nyayo House or regional offices. Parliamentarians believe that by increasing the number of immigration touchpoints, citizens will no longer be burdened with such travel. Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo expresses confidence that a three-day turnaround time is achievable with sufficient resources and a wider network of offices.
These proposed changes come amidst positive developments within the Directorate of Immigration Services. Gone are the days of lengthy queues at Nyayo House, thanks to recent reforms implemented by the government. Mandera East MP Hussein Abdirahman comments on these efforts and highlights the marked improvement in efficiency. The push for faster processing aligns with earlier pledges from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and Immigration PS Julius Bitok.
Both officials previously committed to a maximum waiting period of seven days. Bitok revealed details concerning the department's allocation during a recent budget presentation. While the requested amount was not fully granted, the department received Sh15.151 billion, a significant portion of which will be directed towards operational expenses. Looking back at the 2023/2024 financial year, the department successfully addressed a backlog of approximately 700,000 passports. These efforts were fueled by strategic investments in equipment and technology, financed through revenue generated by immigration services.
The department has also made significant strides in digitization. Over 16,000 government services are now accessible on the eCitizen platform. Furthermore, Kenya introduced a visa-free entry program in January and launched the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system which has facilitated the arrival of over 500,000 visitors. However, challenges remain. The Immigration PS appeals for additional funding to support the rollout of the new digital ID (Maisha Card) and its supporting infrastructure. This funding would also enable the implementation of the Shirika Plan, a proposal aimed at integrating refugees with their host communities and transitioning them out of camps.
Hongera government of Kenya! If hatched, this would be an unprecedented fete. I do not know how the regime of the late Jomo's, the founding father of nation's passport application was though I guess wasn't as difficult.This is since not many people wanted or were able to leave the country at the rate witnessed in the last few decades.However, Nyayo's regime begun the horrific journey of passport acquisition, then the ugly Kibaki's regime with late Kajwang reportedly handing out passports and IDs to foreigners for cash. Let's hope the devolution of this process doesn't bring things like this as it may be difficult to keep a tab on passport officials as easily as it would at a place like Nyayo House..
Bure kabisa!