24 HOURS: Government’s TimeFrame For National IDs Printing In A Backlog Clearance

24 HOURS: Government’s TimeFrame For National IDs Printing In A Backlog Clearance

The government announced on Tuesday that it would begin 24-hour printing of National Identity (ID) cards to clear backlogs and expedite new applications.

In a statement to newsrooms, Immigration Services Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Bitok revealed that the government has purchased additional machines to speed up the printing of travel documents at Nyayo House and regional centres.

The government has decided to purchase more machines and increase working hours in order to address the persistent issue of Kenyans complaining about long wait times.

Kenyans renewing or applying for new identity documents have had to wait for weeks and even months before they can visit the immigration offices for pick up.

On April 18, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki promised to end immigration delays by eliminating cartels and middlemen.

“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 said when he made an impromptu visit to Nyayo House in Nairobi.

Kindiki clarified that underfunding was the main cause of the delays.

“All the bottlenecks have now been comprehensively addressed. Effective May 1, 2024, all applicants for the Kenyan passport will receive them within Twenty-One (21) Days from the date of application,” Kindiki stated at the time.

According to the Interior CS, the number of Kenyans seeking passports is increasing due to the government’s labour export policy.

The move comes just weeks after President William Ruto established the Bungoma Immigration Office to serve Vihiga, Kakamega, Busia, and Trans Nzoia counties.

“President William Ruto has officially opened the Bungoma passport application centre. This becomes the ninth passport application centre in Kenya and will offer convenience to residents of Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia,” Immigration said in a statement.

At the opening event, PS Bitok explained that the expansion will make it easier for residents and foreign clients to access government services without having to travel long distances.

“We are decentralizing immigration services, including the issuance of passports, E-Foreign Nationals registration, ETA, work permits, interstate Pass, Refugee Travel Documents & Certificates of Identity and Nationality,” Bitok said.

24 HOURS: Government’s TimeFrame For National IDs Printing In A Backlog Clearance