Parliament to probe passport processing backlog
The Parliament has launched investigation into the alleged widespread corruption and backlog of passport applications at the Directorate of Immigration Services.
The decision comes after the Ombudsman recently exposed various injustices and malpractices, including excessive charging of applicants, within the Immigration Department.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has directed the National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee to conduct the investigation following a request by nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana.
Senator Kibwana expressed concerns over numerous complaints from Kenyans regarding corruption allegations and challenges faced while seeking services at the department.
“The committee should outline the measures being implemented to combat alleged instances of corruption within the Directorate of Immigration Services,” Senator Kibwana stated. The committee, chaired by Baringo Senator William Cheptumo, will focus on uncovering issues related to passport issuance and corruption claims, particularly within the passport section.
The committee will investigate the alleged practice of expediting passport issuance for those who can afford to bribe officials.
Further, the committee will address the frequent breakdowns of the passport printing machine and the supply chain challenges that have led to a significant backlog of pending passport applications.
The malfunctioning printing machine has been identified as the primary cause of the backlog, with approximately 60,000 applications currently pending due to the machine’s breakdown and a shortage of printing booklets.
The committee’s probe will also examine the government’s plans to clear the substantial backlog and expedite the processing of applications within the stipulated 21-day processing time.
Last month, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki assured the public that the backlog would be resolved within three weeks. However, the backlog persisted when another printing machine broke down earlier this month.
In a statement released on June 6, the Department of Immigration attributed the delays in processing passport applications to the breakdown of a printing machine and disruptions in the supply of essential materials.
The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), also known as the Ombudsman, recently released a damning report exposing malpractices in passport issuance.
According to CAJ Chairperson Florence Kajuju, Kenyans are being overcharged for passports with fewer pages than they applied for. The report further highlighted that the backlog is primarily caused by delayed approval for the procurement of printing booklets and the breakdown of printing machines.
Addressing the issue, Kajuju stated, “Many Kenyans lost their money when they falsely paid more money while applying for passports through the eCitizen platform. You cannot say that you do not require policy guidelines, yet you are setting up a system that then there are emerging challenges like refund mechanism.”
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