Government Acquires Modern Passports' Printing Machines To Clear Backlog In 14 Days

• Interior CS Kithure Kindiki says the immigration department has with it a new passport printer
• The CS while making an impromptu visit to Nyayo House restated the government's commitment to deal with corrupt brokers
• According to Kindiki, with the new printer, the backlog of passports will be cleared within 14 days

Nairobi - The Directorate of Immigration Services has acquired new printers to expedite the passport application process that has recently been impeded by faulty machines.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the government was committed to clearing the backlog at the department and to stream services going forward.

"As we work to address with finality, the production challenges through the acquisition of modern printing machines," he said.

The CS added that more staffers had been stationed to help clear the pending passports application processes.

"We have recruited additional immigration officers and improved the department’s infrastructure; all efforts and manpower has been deployed to clear the passport processing backlog within 14 days," he stated.

This came days after a quartet of people suspected to constitute a syndicate defrauding passport applicants was arrested.

A security operation undertaken by the state law enforcers led to the arrests, with the suspects now facing charges related to fraud and felony.

The police caught up with the suspects in Nairobi's Nyayo House, which hosts several government departments such as immigration.

“This has contributed to a public outcry and a perception of inefficiency and corruption in service delivery. Four suspected brokers were arrested and booked at Central Police Station,” officials said.

The suspects will face charges of preparation to commit a felony and conspiracy to defraud the unsuspecting public," investigators and the officials at Nyayo House are quoted as having said.

Kindiki had admitted to corruption malpractices at the department.

Kindiki's admission of fraud at Nyayo House

He however vowed to clean up Nyayo House to ensure seamless processing of passports.

While appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Thursday, August 24, the CS admitted there was massive corruption at Nyayo House.

Kindiki regretted that some government officials had transformed Nyayo House into a centre for individuals preying on those seeking new passports.

"I have admitted that we have a problem in the Immigration Department. But I must say that there are also good officers who are serving patriotically,. There are others collecting bribes and harassing Kenyans," Kindiki said.