Governments warns of disposing uncollected passports

The Government has issued a notice for collection of passports, saying the 110,059 uncollected travel documents will be disposed off in six months

According to the Director of Immigration Service (DIS)  the move is aimed at freeing up limited storage space with Nairobi leading with the number of uncollected passports of 55,504 followed by Kisumu 11,707, Embu 10,816 Mombasa 8,696, Nakuru 8,615, Eldoret 8,551,Kisii 5,719,Kericho 389 and Bungoma 62.

Julius Bitok, Principal Secretary State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services said the move is constitutional.

''This is in line with Section 31 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act and Regulations, Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act (CAP 38) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations on the delivery of travel documents, ''Said Bitok.

In a bid to ease passport delivery Bitok said the Directorate has suspended the requirement for applicants to book an appointment to collect their passports.

He further urged applicants who are yet to collect their passports to do so at the station where they submitted their application.

Additionally, the ministry also said they have put in place measures to facilitate young Kenyans who wish to pursue job opportunities abroad.

''We have set up a dedicated Migrant labour counter to fast-track passport application. Applicants seeking service are advised to present their papers, which must include document of proof of intent issued by the relevant institution, ’’Said Bitok.

The Ps also stated that they have provided mechanisms to promote transparency, facilitate self-tracking and provide feedback by sending the applicants tracking number to a Short Message Service (SMS)

Interior Cabinet Secretary Nominee Kithure Kindiki who appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Appointment for vetting on Thursday said the Ministry has completed the backlog for passports and will now start issuing them within seven days.

Kindiki who was the first to face the committee ahead of four others who were also vetted on Thursday. Said that when he assumed office passport application and collection was a major crisis but the issues was resolved.

He said that the ministry will issue passports within seven days starting August 1, adding that was the deadline which they complied with four weeks ago.

Kindiki further assured that the next deadline is to bring the passport waiting period to three days by November 1, 2024.