Four Arrested Over Bribery Claims to Facilitate Passport Applications at Nyayo House

Four individuals were recently arrested in Nairobi for allegedly acting as passport brokers and demanding bribes in exchange for helping with passport applications.

Starting August 25, the police and immigration officials conducted an operation after receiving numerous complaints from applicants who claimed the brokers demanded money for what should have been free services. To improve passport processing, the immigration department has put in place new methods for processing passports including increasing the number of staff available at the counters and introducing day and night shifts so emergency cases can be dealt with immediately. The Director General of Immigration Services, Evelyn Cheluget, assures that people with vital passport needs will be given foremost priority to obtain the necessary documentation.

“This has contributed to a public outcry and a perception of inefficiency and corruption in service delivery. Four suspected brokers were arrested at booked at Central Police Station. The suspects will face charges of preparation to commit a felony and conspiracy to defraud the unsuspecting public," officials said.

The government plans to make changes to the processing and issuance of travel documents to address long-standing delays that have caused public dissatisfaction. These changes will include obtaining new booklets and machines that will allow for 24/7 passport printing. Various improvements have been made by the passport division such as providing distinct counters solely for emergency situations and regional heads allocating additional resources to prioritize these kinds of cases.

Kenyans have been frustrated with the backlog in passport processing which should take 10-15 days. Between July 13 and August 2023, Nyayo House printed 96,310 passports with 53,750 printed during the day shift and 42,560 processed at night. Last week, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki publicly exposed the corrupt dealings of brokers who work with immigration officials to exploit applicants seeking passports at Nyayo House.

He confirmed having received reliable information that corruption plays a significant role in the delay of passport processing at the department. Kindiki promised to exert his authority as head of the ministry to put these issues in order.