- The CS acknowledged that Kenyans have continued to experience frustrations in the process of seeking passports.
Image: MINA
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has announced a crackdown on corrupt officials at Nyayo House.
The CS said that officials who will be found culpable will held accountable.
"Beginning this morning (Friday), a crackdown has been commenced to identify all corrupt officials. Those found culpable will be removed from service and held personally accountable by prosecution and surcharged," he said in a statement.
The CS acknowledged that Kenyans have continued to experience frustrations in the process of seeking passports.
"Many of our people have lost employment opportunities while many others cannot travel for medical care, education, business and leisure."
Some Kenyans applying for passports have lamented that they have waited for the travel documents for over six months despite completing all the required processes.
The fee for the standard 34-page passport application currently stands at Sh4,500 while the 50-page ordinary passport costs Sh6,000.
The CS highlighted that it has been years of insufficient investment in production infrastructure, accumulating supplier debts, and corrupt practices that have hindered the government's transformation program for the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services.
However, Kindiki committed to conclusively resolving the challenges surrounding passport issuance, aiming to create efficiency and timely service delivery in the shortest time possible.
CS Kindiki has urged Kenyans to be patient as the ministry sorts out the passport issue at Nyayo House.
"I respectfully appeal for a little more patience from the people of Kenya to conclusively resolve this matter," he said.
On February 15, the government asked those in need of passports to apply for the 50-page document due to delayed delivery of the 34-page one.
Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura advised Kenyans with urgent passport needs.
Mwaura explained that the existing printing machine at Nyayo House has continued to experience challenges, adding that the government had already procured two new machines to address the same.
"The shortage has been caused by slow delivery of the booklets by the supplier. The documents are usually printed outside the country for security reasons leaving only the applicant's Bio-data page to be printed locally upon application," he said.
"A consignment of the booklets is on the way and will land in the country soon and the problem will be a thing of the past. In the meantime, those with urgent needs for a passport are advised to apply for the 50-page passports which are in plenty."