The wait for a passport is getting significantly shorter for Kenyan travellers, according to the Directorate of Immigration Services.
The Directorate says it is implementing measures to improve passport issuance.
It says it received two new, modern passport printing machines that will be operational by April 2024 to reduce processing times. In addition, new servers have been installed to handle the demand and ensure system stability.
Principal Secretary for Immigration Julius Bitok Thursday said they had received an additional 112,700 passport booklets, including 92,500 50-pager series, to enhance efficiency at passport centres.
With these improvements, the government aims to deliver passports within 21 days of application, starting in April.
Current Applicants
Applicants can check their passport application status by sending an SMS with their eCitizen application reference code to 22222.
Travellers who have a pending application for a 34-page passport and need to travel urgently can upgrade to a 50-page booklet through the eCitizen portal without visiting an immigration office.
“Applicants with pending 34-page passports who have an urgent need to travel are advised to upgrade their applications to the 50-page booklet through the eCitizen portal. No physical visit to Immigration offices is necessary to apply for the upgrade,” Prof. Bitok said.
However, passport issuance will prioritize applications on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Directorate acknowledged the backlog caused by an outdated printer and booklet shortages. They are working to clear this backlog by intensifying processing and printing operations.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had previously taken responsibility for the delays and inefficiencies in the Kenya passport issuance.
Kithure Kindiki attributed these issues to years of insufficient investment, supplier debts, and past corrupt practices.
“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.
