The Kenyan government is urging citizens to collect their passports as soon as possible with over 58,330 currently ready for pick-up across the country.
The announcement from the Principal Secretary of Immigration Julius Bitok comes amidst a recent crisis of delayed passport issuance, leading to long queues and frustration for many applicants. Mr Bitok emphasizes that the individuals notified should collect their passports from their designated Immigration offices. He also acknowledges the backlog of unprocessed applications and assures that these will be addressed on a first-come, first-served basis, with the caveat that availability may vary depending on the type of passport booklet chosen by the applicant.
Nairobi has been identified as the location with the highest number of uncollected passports, exceeding 20,000. Other major cities like Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru also have a significant backlog with 6,087, 5,759, and 4,466 unclaimed passports, respectively. The previous delays in passport issuance are attributed to a shortage of printing machines.
However, the PS has guaranteed that this issue has been addressed and the backlog is expected to be cleared progressively. To expedite the collection process and reduce congestion at Immigration offices, it is highly recommended that individuals proactively check the status of their passport applications and collect them promptly upon notification. This will contribute to a smoother and more efficient service for all applicants.
Meanwhile, the PS has welcomed the decision issued by Justice John Chigiti on February 23, 2024, which lifted the previous suspension on the issuance of the new national identity cards. This move brings relief to over 600,000 Kenyans who were unable to obtain new or duplicate IDs due to the court order. Mr. Bitok assures that pending applications will be processed promptly.
