Matiang'i: IDs, passports to be issued in a day

Identity cards, birth and death certificates and passports will be issued the same day of application beginning July 1, the government has said.

The changes are captured in a 10-point plan unveiled by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i on Wednesday during a high-level security meeting in Mombasa.

The meeting was attended by top security officers, among them the Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho and Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai.

“By 1st of July this year, issuance of ID cards, birth and death certificates and passports shall be a same day service except for applications originating from outside of Nairobi and abroad,” the CS said.

Apart from issuance of these crucial document to the public, the 10-point plan tackles terrorism, police reforms, citizen service, illegal firearms, war on drugs, university security and integrity within public offices.

Matiang'i directed the PS for Citizen Services to ensure strict and uncompromised adherence to the service charters in the government departments that deal with issuance of IDs, passports, birth and death certificates.

He also directed county commissioners, who are coordinators of national services, to conduct impromptu checks at service centers, report and take action on lack of efficient service delivery.

“I shall hold the county commissioners responsible for in particular, immigration services, registration of persons and issuance of birth and death certificates in their counties,” he said.

On the war on terror, he said chiefs are expected to rout out enemy and collaborators within their areas of jurisdiction, lest action be taken against them.

“National government administration officers, in particular the chiefs, should take stock of people who live in their neighbourhood. The chiefs shall be held responsible for the presence of criminal elements in their areas of jurisdiction,” Matiang'i said.

But he said the officers are required to respect the rule of law and human rights.

“When clean up time comes, we shall make no distinction between the enemy and those who harbour them,” warned Matiang'i.

He said they shall be driven by their cardinal responsibility to protect the country.

“We shall spare no efforts nor resources in attainment of freedom from fear. May this serve as a clear warning to harbourers and coordinators: You shall not be spared.”

Matiang'i said the government will continue mopping up of illegal guns.

He said last year they instituted new procedures in acquisition and holding of civilian firearms to ensure only those properly vetted acquire them.

“We destroyed 8,628 illegal firearms and almost 370,000 rounds of ammunition. This exercise continues this year, with even greater zeal,” he said.

Matiangi issued a directive for the suspension of licensing of new firearm dealers until the National Security Council reviews the matter.

The CS said the government shall show no mercy to drug dealers, whom he described as “merchants of death, doom and darkness.”

“We will continue to upgrade our capabilities to reduce demand and suppress supply. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health we shall continue to support rehabilitation efforts of those our sons and daughters already afflicted,” he said.

On the issue of insecurity within universities and other institutions of higher learning, the government will fast track the development of guidelines for establishment of university community committees.

The committees will be foster harmonious co- existence between the university and the communities where they are located.

“Going by the recent events in our country, I am sure that you will all agree with me that the safety and security of our universities and technical training institutions remains a major concern,” he said.

The CS said the government is in the process of implementing full automation of all citizen services.

“All our ministry’s citizen services must move from manual to digital processes. This will allow us to serve our citizens with the dignity and efficiency they deserve whilst ensuring highest levels of security of our citizens’ private data,” he said.

Reports have ranked several departments under the Ministry of Interior as among the most corrupt in the country.

 “I shall not condone any acts of rent seeking, citizen shakedown or creation of fear, anxiety and desperation with the sole purpose of conferment of personal benefit by our officers. This shall be met with pain and ruthlessness,” Matiangi said.