Former Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok is facing renewed scrutiny following allegations that foreign nationals, including individuals linked in reports to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), obtained Kenyan passports and identity documents during his tenure.
The allegations in this report are primarily based on reporting by The Standard, which cited documents and statements from unnamed sources.
According to The Standard, the allegations are contained in documents and claims suggesting that some applications may have been processed through irregular channels within the immigration system. These claims have not been independently verified.
The newspaper reports that officials linked to Bitok’s office may have been involved in processing and collecting some of the passports, including instances where documents were allegedly collected by a personal assistant in the office at the time.
Bitok, who now serves as Principal Secretary for Basic Education, has not publicly responded to the specific allegations.
The Standard further reports claims that some applicants may have bypassed standard immigration procedures, including biometric verification, with some documents allegedly processed within unusually short timeframes.
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Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has also released documents he says are linked to the issuance of the passports and has called for further investigation.
The Standard reportedly sought comment from Bitok but had not received a response by the time of publication.
Additional allegations cited by The Standard suggest that identity and travel documents may have been irregularly issued between 2023 and 2025 through multiple Huduma Centres, including claims that some identity documents were issued without full biometric capture.
Gachagua has further alleged that some beneficiaries of the process may be linked to the conflict in Sudan, including individuals associated with the RSF. These claims have not been independently verified.
Immigration Director General Evelyn Cheluget has also been mentioned in connection with the allegations, following reports that some passports may have been collected by a staff member in her office. She has not responded to requests for comment.
Whistleblowers cited by The Standard allege that senior officials were aware of irregularities but did not act, while junior officers were reportedly pressured to proceed with approvals.
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