Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Saturday, February 4, ordered officials at the Immigration Department to speed up the production of passports.
Kindiki directed that all passports should be processed and duly disbursed to the owners within a period of 21 days.
The Cabinet Secretary also confirmed that his ministry had put in place measures to ensure that the process does not take so long, as was the norm.
"I pledge to carry out my determination on all applications, including appeals, within seven days following receipt of the recommendation of the department," Kindiki directed.
The Directorate of Immigration Services was particularly ordered to ensure that, "Decisions on all applications for citizenship, permanent residency and work permits are processed quickly."
He confirmed that the employment of new technologies has considerably made the process for the production of e-passports much easier and more efficient.
The Directorate of Immigration Services is currently working under a new framework that measures individual output while focusing on efficiency.
“We are addressing the delay in the issuance of new Kenyan passports,” stated Professor Kindiki, “We have received 50,000 34-page booklets with a further 200,000 expected next week, and a similar figure each month for the next six months."
The Ministry of Interior purchased and installed an advanced Passenger Information System and e-Gates which are being used to speed up the production of identification elements, including passports.
“Last week, I approved 1,698 applications for citizenship, all of which were pending approval.
"Of these, 808 applications were made to regain Kenyan Citizenship and 815 applications were made by spouses and children of Kenyan citizens, in an effort to strengthen the social fabric of Kenyan society by promoting the family unit,” confirmed Kindiki.
He noted that some of the newly acquired systems have the ability to profile passengers traveling in and out of Kenya and immediately relay results to decision-makers.
