Editor's Review

President Ruto had pledged that Kenyans with foreign job offers would have their passports issued within one week.

The State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services has set up a new desk for Kenyans seeking employment abroad.

In a statement dated July 31 by Immigration Principal Secretary (PS), Julius Bitok, the department established a Migrant Labour desk to enhance the fast-tracking of passport applications.

This comes days after President William Ruto pledged that Kenyans with foreign job offers would have their passports issued within one week.

“In line with the Presidential directive to facilitate travel for Kenyans pursuing job opportunities outside the country, we have set up dedicated Migrant Labour counters to fast-track passport applications,” Bitok stated.

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He asked Kenyans who were pursuing jobs outside the country to present their documents as proof during the application process.

“Applicants seeking this service are advised to present their papers, which must include documents of proof of intent issued by the relevant institution,” Bitok added.

Man holding a Kenyan passport.

Bitok further noted that the department was continuously reviewing its operations to enhance its efficiency by investing in human resources, modern equipment, and technologies.

He disclosed that the department had reformed its services and had been able to clear a historic backlog of unprinted passports.

"We have also reformed our processes to decongest workstations and speed up our services. As a result of these interventions, we have cleared the historical backlog of unprinted passports in our systems,” Bitok remarked.

Additionally, the PS noted that the department was holding 110,059 uncollected passports in its offices across the country.

Bitok said that the department will dispose of all uncollected passports after six months.

“To free up limited storage space, applicants are notified that DIS will dispose of all uncollected passports Six (6) months from the date of this notice.

"This is in line with the following laws and regulations: Section 31 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act and Regulations, Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act (CAP 38) and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations on the delivery of travel documents,” he remarked.