Kenyans are dealing with long lines and passport delays at the Nyayo house barely three months after the interior CS assured kenyans that things had been reformed.
According to reports, one of the causes for the continued delays is the breakdown of printing machines, which is compounded by a shortage of critical printing materials.
Nyayo House, the immigration department's nerve core, is said to have had a two-month lapse in passport printing, leaving applicants in a state of confusion and fear.
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“I applied for my passport in June for my scholarship abroad, and every time I check, I’m told it's in process,” Patricia Wanja, an applicant, said.
Due to technical issues and a lack of printing booklets, the immigration department has resorted to expediting emergency cases, particularly those requiring medical attention abroad, leaving other applicants, such as those seeking passports for educational opportunities, in the dark.
This selective approach has generated worries among those impacted waiting for a resolution to their travel document situation.
"I applied in November, and I was supposed to travel to South Africa in December, but now I'm facing uncertainties," another applicant, Gitau, complained.
Long lineups are no longer visible, as they were previously. However, it is not for lack of efficiency; according to Nyayo House sources, applicants are advised to wait for communication from immigration authorities or check the progress of their applications online rather than personally visiting Nyayo House.
Prof Kithure Kindiki said he would continue attending immigration offices until the passport issue was resolved.
At the time, he blamed the delays on broken machines and printers, assuring the public that the matter would be resolved by purchasing new equipment. However, whether the promised devices have arrived in the country is currently unknown.
