PS Bitok announced on Wednesday that Kenya will receive two new passport printers to implement their plan by the end of March. Following the receipt of new passport printing booklets, Bitok stated that the state anticipates acquiring an additional one million books in the coming weeks. The Principal Secretary emphasized that with these additions, the country is now adequately equipped to tackle the passport backlog issue.
Bitok mentioned that with these acquisitions, Kenyans can now expect to receive their passports within a timeframe of 21 days.
Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has said Kenya is set to receive two new passport printers by the end of March.
— TheStarKenya (@TheStarKenya) March 21, 2024
Bitok said the acquisitions will now see Kenyans receive their passports within 21 days, with the state expecting to receive another… pic.twitter.com/n14Wuxm96q
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"This evening, we've received printing booklets, a pivotal step in enhancing service delivery within the immigration department. With two new printers set to arrive by the end of this month and over 1 million booklets procured, expected to arrive soon, we're primed to efficiently address the passport backlog," Bitok said.
"This improvement ensures a smoother and faster process, ensuring that all applicants will now receive their passports within a maximum of 21 days."
Despite Kenya grappling with a backlog attributed to the use of an old printer and a shortage of printing booklets, PS Bitok assured Kenyans on March 5 that the Directorate of Immigration Services had intensified its operations. The aim is to process and print passports swiftly and clear the backlog of applications resulting from a surge in demand.
Bitok further explained that applications are being processed based on a first-in-first-out basis, contingent upon the availability of specific booklets determined by the number of pages paid for by each applicant.
In a recent statement, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki assumed responsibility for the delayed progress in passport issuance. He acknowledged the pain and frustration felt by numerous Kenyans in their quest for passports, which has led to missed employment opportunities and limited travel options for medical care, education, business, or leisure.
"The prevailing state of affairs is inexcusable, considering that it is the right of every Kenyan to acquire citizenship documents, including travel documents. As the Cabinet Secretary overseeing passport issuance, I take responsibility for the slow pace of reforms and the prevailing systemic inefficiencies," he said.
The CS emphasized that the delays were a consequence of years of inadequate investment in production infrastructure, mounting supplier debts, and corrupt practices.
Kindiki also pledged to effectively address the hurdles associated with passport issuance, striving to enhance efficiency and ensure timely service delivery as swiftly as possible.
