The Kenya Kwanza Government regrets the persistent delays in issuance of passports and other citizenship documents, this is according to Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki.

Speaking on Thursday, March 21, CS Kindiki added that the government had settled pending bills worth KSh380 million that the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services owed suppliers, so as to enhance efficiency and clear the passport processing backlog.

“The budgetary constraints that made it impossible for the Immigration Department to meet its production targets have been resolved. In partnership with the National Treasury, as part of unlocking the funding challenge, the department will retain a percentage of the revenue it generates in passports and permits processing fees to meet the production demand,” CS Kindiki said when he appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Regional Integration on issues relating to the East African Community Bloc.

Kindiki also assured the Members of Parliament that a crackdown on corrupt officials at the Immigration Department was on.

“17 officers have been arrested and prosecuted, and intelligence-led investigations are underway to identify more officials who are taking advantage of the passport booklets shortage to extort applicants,” he added.

Gov’t receives passport booklets

Kindiki’s revelations come a day after the department received 112,700 passport booklets, comprising 92,400, 50-page (B-series) and 20,300, 66-page (C- series).

This consignment is in addition to 50,000, 50-page booklets, that the department received last week.

Further, additional booklets, including the 34-page (A-series), have already been procured and are expected in the country from next month.