The Directorate of Immigration Services (DIS) on Thursday, August 1 provided a status update on the printing and collection of passports, in line with its commitment to facilitate Kenyans to acquire travel documents in a convenient and timely manner.

The department says that it is continuously reviewing its operations and investing in human resources, modern equipment, and technologies to enhance efficiency and the quality of clients’ experiences.

“We have also reformed our processes to decongest workstations and speed up our services. As a result of these interventions, we have cleared the historical backlog of unprinted passports in our systems,” DIS says in a statement sent to newsrooms.

And in line with President William Ruto‘s directive to facilitate travel for Kenyans pursuing job opportunities outside the country, the department says it has set up dedicated Migrant Labour counters in its offices to fast-track passport applications.

“Applicants seeking this service are advised to present their papers, which must include documents of proof of intent issued by the relevant institution,” the DIS adds. “We have provided mechanisms to promote transparency, facilitate self-tracking, and provide prompt feedback.”

110,059 uncollected passports

Currently, the department says that it is holding 110,059 uncollected passports in its offices as indicated below:

The department has further published names of Kenyans who have not collected their passports across the country, warning that uncollected passports will be disposed after 6 months in accordance with the law.

To find out their passport application status, applicants can send a Short Message Service (SMS) with their eCitizen tracking number (e.g., EPPI-D6T8M4H1) to 22222.

Applicants can also reach the department on the following platforms: X: @ImmigrationDept, WhatsApp +254 796 374 902 and Email [email protected].