Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has assured Kenyans that the government was putting all measures in place to ensure the Immigration Department is ranked best performing in the next 12 months.
Kindiki made the remarks Friday, September 1, when he made an impromptu visit to the Nyayo House.
This comes as Kenyans complain over the existence of cartels making it hard for applicants to get passports on time.
The Interior CS reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption cartels at the Immigration offices, warning that corruption cartels and brokers will not be spared.
CS Kindiki: In a year or two Immigration Department will be rated the best department across the country. #TV47Matukio pic.twitter.com/I8uhFOPUPB
— TV47 (@tv47news) September 1, 2023
“Nobody will come to collect bribes from here, it’s over, and we will ensure all other immigration offices in the country are corruption-free,” Kindiki stated.
The interior CS had earlier directed that only staff and Kenyans seeking services should be allowed in the premises of Nyayo House, in an attempt to lock out corrupt brokers.
“Henceforth, access to the Immigration Department Headquarters in Nyayo House will be restricted to members of staff and service-seekers with the necessary documents, key among them appointments for submission and biometrics capture,” Kindiki ordered.
Kindiki also revealed that security within and around Nyayo House was enhanced to help keep off idlers and other criminal elements.
The new directives by the Interior CS, emerged a few days after four employees at Nyayo house were arrested over allegations of frustrating passports applicants.
Kindiki took action after citizens complained about some of the frustrations they go through while pursuing applications for passports and other travel documents.
Some applicants noted that they were forced to cancel their overseas trips after the department delayed processing the necessary documents.
It was alleged that some individuals at the public office would decline to serve an applicant for failing to bribe the staff or brokers at the immigration offices.
On the other hand, staff at Nyayo House blamed the delay on faulty printing machines and a shortage of booklets.