Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | The Directorate of Immigration Services has announced a significant enhancement to the passport collection procedure, aimed at streamlining the process and improving convenience for Kenyan applicants seeking this essential travel document.
In a recent announcement, the Department revealed that applicants will no longer be required to schedule appointments to retrieve their passports. This change aims to simplify the process and enhance convenience for all applicants.
“Further, we have simplified the process of passport delivery: applicants are no longer required to book for appointment to collect passports,” The Directorate said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
The Immigration Department has introduced a new step in the passport collection process. Applicants will now receive a notification once their application is processed and their passport is ready.
Following this, they can visit the collection desk at the location where they originally applied to retrieve their documents.
These updates, implemented in response to public feedback, reflect the Directorate’s ongoing effort to improve efficiency and accessibility.
“The Directorate of Immigration Services is listening and open to all emerging issues.”
The Directorate encouraged the public to reach out to them in case of any concerns or suggestions.
This message follows President William Ruto’s recent announcement that his administration is aiming to shorten the passport application and collection period to just one week.
Also Read: Kenyan MPs want passports processed within three days
The President emphasized that this expedited process will be particularly beneficial for individuals seeking employment opportunities abroad.
“I have planned that anyone interested in flying out for those jobs will get their passports in less than a week,” Ruto told Taita Taveta residents on Sunday, July 28, 2024.
Back in April 2024, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced a plan to reduce passport processing time to three days, starting November 1, 2024.
“The government has addressed the historical bottlenecks that had resulted in the frustration of many Kenyans in their search to acquire the Kenyan passport,” Kindiki stated.
Kindiki noted that resolving the issues affecting passport processing contributed to reducing the backlog.
Key challenges included inadequate funding for the Directorate of Immigration, corruption, and global disruptions in the supply chain for passport booklets.
