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| Director of Immigration Services Jane Waikenda has said applicants with proper documents will get a passport after five days July 16, 2013 |
It will now take only five days for one to be issued with a national passport, the government has announced.
Director of Immigration Services Jane Waikenda
said applicants with proper documents will get a passport after five
days, down from 10.
Previously, it took more than a month to get a
passport before it was reduced to 21 and later 10 days as the government
put in place Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) programme.
Ms Waikenda, who is overseeing the restructuring
of the department, said the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is
also auditing it and reviewing integrity tests of officers.
She initiated the audit and
testing "to counter the weak links in the department". Ms Waikenda said
the move is meant to seal all loopholes and counter corruption.
A major reshuffle of
immigration officers has also been done to address complacency in the
service, Ms Waikenda said, adding that the changes will be done
regularly.
To reduce the porous nature of Kenya’s
borders, the department is in the process of building more border
control points as well as revamping the existing ones, Ms Waikenda said.
Special counter
Ms Waikenda said a special
counter for urgent passport applications for travellers going for
pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and medical treatment has been established.
“This will ensure there are no
delays which may inadvertently lock out travellers on religious pursuits
and will also encourage applicants not to compromise officers due to
the urgency of the application,” Ms Waikenda said.
Ms Waikenda, who took over at
the helm of the department last month, said a public communications desk
to cater to all enquiries pertaining to immigration procedures is being
established. The desk will be located at the ground floor on the North
wing of Immigration Headquarters at Nyayo House.
She directed all immigration
officers to be always in full uniform and display their name tags to
guard against unscrupulous conmen.
“This will make it easier for
members of the public to easily identify officers for expedient service
as well as dealing with brokers masquerading as immigration officers,
thereby giving a bad image to the Immigration Department,” Ms Waikenda
said.
Expedient response
Ms Waikenda said she is setting
up a Twitter and Facebook account to interact with members of the
public on issues touching on immigration for expedient response and
feedback.
The director called on staff to ensure patriotism and integrity.
“Officers are urged to uphold
the Code of Regulations and Code of Ethics and conduct themselves in a
manner beyond reproach. The Director is categorical that officers found
wanting will be weeded out and discipline will be meted out swiftly,”
she said.
The director also gave a hotline number 020 231 0090 for use by members of the public for immediate feedback.
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