Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has addressed the recent delays in passport issuance, attributing them to printing machine failures and a surge in demand for travel documents.
On Thursday, February 1, Mwaura acknowledged challenges with the existing printing machine at Nyayo House and announced the procurement of two new machines to tackle the issue.
The spokesperson urged Kenyans to be patient, assuring that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki would launch the new machines soon, facilitating the issuance of 100,000 passports.
Mwaura emphasized the significant backlog faced by the Ministry of Interior, highlighting the high demand for passports and the need to manage both new applications and backlog cases.
He drew parallels with the issuance of Good Conduct Certificates, pointing out a daily demand of 20,000 against a backlog of 700,000. The spokesperson acknowledged the government’s efforts to streamline the processes and meet the surging demand.
In response to public frustration and accusations of delays, Mwaura explained that the government was actively working to address the challenges.
Mwaura noted the intense demand for travel documents and assured citizens that measures were in place to enhance efficiency. Mwaura’s statements come in the wake of a local TV station’s expose highlighting the difficulties faced by Kenyans in obtaining passports.
Last year, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki unveiled measures to improve efficiency in passport issuance at Nyayo House.
He disclosed plans to lease new machines from private investors to overcome machine breakdowns and streamline procurement processes, addressing a historical backlog of over 58,000 passport applications.
Kindiki also underscored the government’s commitment to eliminating cartels that impede service delivery at passport offices through increased intelligence efforts.
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