Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has taken accountability for the delays in the issuance of passports at Nyayo House that he attributes to corruption.
CS Kindiki said that a crackdown has been launched to smoke out officials who continue engaging in rent-seeking and bribery and that no one, regardless of their rank or status, will be spared from arrest and prosecution if found culpable.
After owning up, the CS appealed for patience from service seekers and called for cooperation from members of the public through information-sharing and active leads in identifying members of the dreaded cartel, even as the government steps up the fight against the criminals who have opposed previous efforts and denied Kenyans smooth and timely citizen services at the department.
He further recognized the “pain and frustration” Kenyans face due to the prevalent delays as it limits them from travelling outside the country.
“The prevailing state of affairs is inexcusable, considering that it is the right of every Kenyan to acquire citizenship documents, including travel documents. As the Cabinet Secretary on whose role issuance of passports falls, I take responsibility for the slow pace of reforms, and the prevailing systemic inefficiencies,” he stated.
“Many Kenyans continue to experience pain and frustration as they seek passports to facilitate their movement beyond our borders for whatever reason. As a result, many of our people have lost employment opportunities, while many others cannot travel for medical care, education, business or leisure.”
The Interior CS additionally cited low investment in the passport production infrastructure, piling supplier debts, and corrupt practices as what impedes with the government’s program to change the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services.
CS Kindiki stated that the government has begun a move to reveal the corrupt officials in the Immigration department and ensure that they are apprehended and charged.
“Beginning this morning, a crackdown has been commenced to identify all corrupt officials. Those found culpable will be removed from service, and held personally accountable by prosecution and surcharged,” Kindiki said.
