Government Printer appeals for urgent funding, says newest machine installed in 1983
CEO Ali Abdi told MPs that years of neglect have weakened the institution and made its equipment obsolete, slowing the printing of critical government documents.
Kenya’s Government Printer has raised concerns that long-term neglect has left the department unable to meet the nation’s printing demands, calling for urgent funding to modernise its operations.
Speaking before the National Assembly’s Committee on Delegated Legislation, CEO Ali Abdi said the machines in use are outdated, with many having been acquired in 1963.
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He told MPs that years of neglect have weakened the institution and made its equipment obsolete, slowing the printing of critical government documents.
Abdi noted that the newest printing machine at the facility was installed in 1983, leaving most operations dependent on decades-old technology.
He said the worn-out equipment is no longer capable of handling modern printing requirements efficiently, affecting the department’s ability to serve government needs.
He appealed to lawmakers to approve funds for full modernisation, stressing that current conditions are costly and hinder effective operations.
“I request this honourable House to come and salvage that department. Government printers at the moment are in the proverbial intensive care unit. We are using old machines, with the latest one having been bought back in 1983. This is the machine that is printing Bills, the Hansard and the regulations. We are using those machines to ensure Treasury runs,” Abdi told MPs.
He explained that the old machines are still used for important government documents, but cannot cover all printing needs.
“We use it to print the Kenya Gazette and title deeds, but we don’t print our logbooks, birth certificates with those old machines. The President, in his wisdom, formed a task force to modernise this department, and the report is with him,” the official said.
Abdi warned that Kenya spends billions of shillings printing visas, passports, ballot papers, and other security documents abroad, costs that could be reduced with modern equipment.
“All these documents are printed outside the country, including even our ballot papers. Save for the presidential ballot papers, why should we have the rest printed outside the country? It is not a matter of life or death. As for the MCAs, MPs and governors, we have the capacity to print their ballot papers; we have an eight-acre land and over 500 experienced printers working at the government press, but what is missing is the machinery,” the CEO stated.
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