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In a move aimed to facilitate Kenyans securing jobs abroad, the government Thursday introduced a special counter to expedite passport applications. This comes hot on the heels of President William Ruto’s recent promise that Kenyans landing international employment will have their passports ready within a week.
Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok announced this initiative as part of a broader effort to streamline the process for obtaining travel documents. “Following the President’s directive, we’ve set up dedicated Migrant Labour counters to fast-track passport applications,” PS Bitok said.
Applicants needing urgent passport processing are advised to present their documents, including proof of intent from the hiring institution. President Ruto, speaking at a lively roadside rally in Taita Taveta on July 28, underscored the scale of the initiative. “Every week, over 1,000 Kenyans embark on new job opportunities abroad,” he shared, adding that the State Department of Labour’s online directory boasts 400,000 job listings.
“I’ve ensured that those finding employment overseas will get their passports within a week, with the cost of their flights covered by us and their employers,” Ruto said.
To enhance transparency and efficiency, PS Bitok introduced new self-tracking and feedback mechanisms for the Immigration Department. Applicants can now check their passport application status by sending a text with their eCitizen tracking number to 22222.
Bitok said the department had revamped its processes to reduce congestion at workstations and accelerate the services to quickly clear the historical backlog of unprinted passports.
Despite these efforts, 110,059 passports remain uncollected across the country, with Nairobi accounting for the highest number at 55,504, followed by Kisumu with 11,707.
To simplify the collection process, the Ministry has suspended the requirement for applicants to book an appointment. Bitok also issued a notice that any uncollected passports will be disposed of within six months to free up storage space.
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