Government to increase number of passports, IDs issued yearly

The government has announced plans to significantly increase the issuance of passports and digital national identity cards (IDs) to ease citizens' access to registration documents.

Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary, Julius Bitok, on Friday, revealed that the government aims to issue at least one million passports and three million digital national IDs this year, doubling the previous targets.

Speaking during the annual planning meeting of senior managers in Mombasa, Bitok highlighted the government's commitment to improving vital registration and documentation systems.

"We believe these are realistic targets based on the strategic improvements and investments we have made," he said.

Furthermore, the government aims to enhance revenue generation from its services, targeting a daily average of Sh1 billion on the eCitizen digital platform.

This effort includes boosting the issuance of electronic travel authorisation (eTA) and replacing entry visas to attract at least five million visitors.

To support the increased passport issuance, PS Bitok revealed that two new passport printing machines have been delivered for installation in Nyayo House.

These machines, with a combined printing capacity of 600 passports per hour, are expected to reduce waiting times to less than 14 working days.

Additionally, efforts to decentralise access to passports and other services will see the Directorate of Immigration open new offices in Nyeri, Bungoma, and Garissa.

The government also plans to invest in passport and border management systems to provide real-time data on traveller entry and exit.

Immigration and Citizen Services PS Julius Bitok addressing Department staff during annual planning meeting in Mombasa on Friday, April 12, 2024. (Photo: Immigration Dept)

"We are determined to render delays in the issuance of passports a thing of the past,” Bitok affirmed, highlighting the government's commitment to improving efficiency and accessibility in its services.

Last month, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced that President William Ruto will officiate the opening of the Garissa passport office at the end of Ramadan.

According to Kindiki, the move is part of broader initiatives aimed at streamlining the application process for residents and reducing bureaucratic hurdles associated with obtaining crucial documents.

He revealed that President Ruto will unveil new guidelines for the issuance of passports, IDs, and other citizenship documents to North Eastern residents.

As a result, the Head of State announced that Kenya will ban the vetting of identity cards starting May 1.

Speaking during a Muslim leaders' Iftar dinner at State House on Monday evening, the President said the policy that allowed for the vetting exercise has been discriminatory to individuals from certain religions and regions.

"We want every child in Kenya, whether Christian or Muslim and from whichever part of the country, to get equal opportunities and treatment. From the beginning of May this year, a few days from now, there will no longer be vetting for people who want to get IDs," said President Ruto.

Vetting entails an applicant appearing before registration and security agents that include the DCI, the Intelligence Service, the local chief, the Deputy County Commissioner, the registrar, who is the secretary of the committee, and two appointed community elders to be grilled before they are issued with ID cards, the main proof of nationality for Kenyans.