CS Kindiki Take Actions Over Passport Delays
CS Kindiki Take Actions Over Passport Delays
CS Kindiki Take Actions Over Passport Delays
On Friday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced that he had begun a crackdown on government employees who were allegedly delaying the passport-issuing process. The CS also stated in a press release that the operation, which was started this morning, would result in the arrest of dishonest ministry officials.
Kindiki stated that individuals proven to be at fault will lose their jobs and face legal action.He clarified that Kenyans seeking urgent documents to travel for medical treatment, education, and vacation will not be let down by corruption.
“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.”I respectfully appeal for a little more patience from the people of Kenya to conclusively resolve this matter,” read the statement in part.
Conversely, he clarified that poor investments in the passport printers and unpaid supplier bills were the cause of the systematic delays.”The current situation is unacceptable, given that every Kenyan has the right to get citizenship credentials, which include travel documents. As the cabinet secretary, I am accountable for the structural inefficiencies that currently exist and the sluggish pace of improvements related to passport issuance.
“The government undertakes to conclusively resolve this matter and create efficient and timely service delivery in the shortest time possible. Arrangements have been made to secure the required funds and settle the outstanding supplier debts,” he stated.Kenyans have been experiencing passport delays in recent months with some having to wait for the travel documents for over six months.
The government bought new printing equipment as a remedy to reduce the backlog and expedite the issuance of new passports.Significantly, Kindiki’s decision was issued just a few days after it was rumored that President William Ruto had warned Kindiki and his Ministry about the delays in passports during the most recent government retreat in Naivasha.
