Kindiki Takes Responsibility for Delayed Passport Issuance

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has admitted fault for the delay in passport issuance, acknowledging the frustration experienced by Kenyans seeking passports for various purposes. He expressed regret over the resulting impact, including lost job opportunities and restricted travel for medical, educational, business, and leisure purposes.

Kindiki emphasized that every Kenyan has the right to obtain citizenship documents, including passports, and took responsibility for the sluggish progress in reforms and systemic inefficiencies within the passport issuance process.

He attributed the delays to years of inadequate investment in production infrastructure, accumulating supplier debts, and corrupt practices within the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services.

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However, Kindiki pledged to address these challenges promptly, aiming to enhance efficiency and timely service delivery. He assured the public that measures have been put in place to secure funds and settle outstanding debts to suppliers, demonstrating a proactive approach to resolving the longstanding issues in passport processing.

Earlier this month, the government acknowledged challenges in passport issuance due to occasional breakdowns of machines at Nyayo House. Despite this, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura assured that two new machines have been procured to address the issue.

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In late 2023, CS Kindiki announced measures to improve efficiency in passport issuance, including leasing new machines and stepping up efforts to eliminate cartels that impede service delivery at passport offices.