By Brian Magiri, 19th September 2023

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has taken a significant step to ensure that Kenyans can finally claim their long-awaited passports. During the launch of the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) at the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, Kindiki made a decisive announcement, urging citizens to collect their passports within 30 days.

The latest figures reveal a staggering backlog of 87,574 passports that have already been printed and are ready for collection. With this massive number of unclaimed passports, the government is determined to streamline the process and eliminate this backlog promptly.

On his Twitter account, Kindiki emphasized the importance of this initiative: “The Government has initiated a 30-day Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) for delivery of uncollected passports at the Immigration Department’s Nyayo House Headquarters and all regional offices.”

Starting on Monday, September 25th, 2023, passport holders with documents ready for collection are advised to take action immediately. Designated collection points will be set up in Nairobi and various regional immigration offices. The locations will be published in various media outlets and social media platforms, with updates every Wednesday throughout the 30-day RRI period.

The distribution of uncollected passports is as follows:

Nyayo House (Nairobi) – 36,170
Embu Regional Office – 10,409
Eldoret Regional Office – 9,938
Kisumu Regional Office – 9,515
Nakuru Regional Office – 8,023
Kisii Regional Office – 7,971
Mombasa Regional Office – 5,424
To facilitate the collection process further, the Immigration Department will publish a list of all applicants whose passports are due for collection the following week every Wednesday. This measure aims to ensure a smooth and efficient collection process.

Kindiki also highlighted the consequences for those who fail to collect their passports within the stipulated period, saying, “Persons who fail to pick their documents within the stipulated period and at the expiry of the due notice will have their passports disposed of in accordance with the law and penalized when making a future application.”

The delivery of uncollected passports is a critical part of addressing the historical backlog. To prevent such backlogs from occurring in the future, the Immigration Department is in the process of procuring modern printing equipment that will significantly increase passport production capacity. In the meantime, the department continues to operate 24-hour shifts to process and produce passports, with expedited processing for emergency applications, including those for medical care abroad, students enrolling in foreign institutions, and individuals with job opportunities requiring swift travel.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki’s announcement signals a determined effort by the Kenyan government to resolve the longstanding issue of uncollected passports and improve the efficiency of passport services for its citizens. The 30-day window provides a crucial opportunity for individuals to claim their passports and avoid potential penalties.