MPs Endorse Reforms to Clear Passport Backlog at Nyayo House

MPs have given the green light to the reforms being implemented to tackle the passport backlog at the Immigration Directorate.

During a visit to the headquarters of Nyayo House, which hosts the Immigration office, the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Security said on Monday that the changes would also reduce waiting times for new passports. The reforms have involved introducing day and night shifts, boosting the number of passports printed daily to 4,000 from 1,500. Over 100,000 passports were printed last month, bringing the backlog down to around 43,000.

The Committee Chairman, Gabriel Tongoyo, has called for the urgent implementation of a National Assembly directive allowing Immigration to keep a portion of the revenue generated to fund recurrent expenses and prevent future backlogs. He notes that the ongoing procurement of two additional printers would increase printing capacity to over 5,000 passports, enabling issuance within seven days of application. It has been suggested that mobile passport offices should be established across Kenya to make it easier for citizens to obtain the necessary documents.

There have also been calls for investigations into suspected brokers and corrupt practices at Nyayo House to be extended to Immigration officers who may be involved. Several brokers have already been arrested on suspicion of corruption and taking advantage of passport applicants. The Principal Secretary of Immigration and Citizen Services discloses that revenue from passport applications has increased significantly as more Kenyans continue to seek opportunities abroad. According to the PS, efforts are being made to reduce waiting times for new passports to just three days through investments in printing equipment.