Govt Adopts 24-Hour Printing of National IDs to Clear Backlog

by Hebrews Rono on Tuesday, 11 June 2024 - 5:58 pm

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki interacted with Kenyans during his impromptu visit to Nyayo House.

Kithure Kindiki

The government on Tuesday announced the rolling out of 24-hour printing of National Identity (ID) cards to clear backlogs and fast track new applications.

Immigration Services Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Bitok in a statement to newsrooms disclosed that the government has acquired more machines to hasten printing of travel documents at Nyayo House and regional centres.

The procurement of more machines and an increase in working hours have been arrived at to allow the government to substantively address the niggling issue of Kenyans perennially complaining of the long waiting periods.

Kenyans renewing or applying for new identity documents have been forced to wait for weeks and some months before they can visit the immigration offices to pick them up.

Kenyans line up at Huduma Centre.

Julius Bitok

On April 18, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki promised to end delays at the immigration department by eliminating cartels and middlemen who slowed down the process.

"The Government has addressed the historical bottlenecks that had resulted in the frustration of many Kenyans in their search to acquire the Kenyan passport," Kindiki said when he made an impromptu visit to Nyayo House in Nairobi.

Kindiki clarified that underfunding was the main factor contributing to the delays.

"All the bottlenecks have now been comprehensively addressed. Effective May 1, 2024, all applicants for the Kenyan passport will receive them within Twenty-One (21) Days from the date of application," Kindiki stated at the time.

The Interior CS explained that the number of Kenyans seeking to acquire passports continues to surge driven by the government’s labour export policy.

The move comes weeks after President William Ruto commissioned the Bungoma immigration office to serve Vihiga, Kakamega, Busia and Trans Nzoia counties.

"President William Ruto has officially opened the Bungoma passport application centre. This becomes the ninth passport application centre in Kenya and will offer convenience to residents of Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia," Immigration said in a statement.

At the opening event, PS Bitok explained that the expansion will help residents and foreign clients access easier facilitation of government services instead of travelling miles away for the same.

"We are decentralizing immigration services, including the issuance of passports, E-Foreign Nationals registration, ETA, work permits, interstate Pass, Refugee Travel Documents & Certificates of Identity and Nationality," Bitok said.