Interior CS Kithure Kindiki announced on Friday that the queues at the Immigration Department for passports are growing shorter, signifying a notable transformation in the department's approach to passport processing and customer service.

This announcement follows weeks of intensive efforts to streamline operations, with a focus on addressing the persistent backlog of pending passport applications.

According to Kindiki, the queues at Nyayo House are now shorter, and the pace of processing has accelerated considerably as the Immigration Department works diligently to clear the longstanding backlog.

Kindiki shared the development through his X, formerly Twitter account.

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"The queues at Nyayo House are now shorter, and the movement is faster as the Immigration Department works to process all outstanding passport applications," Kindiki announced.

"The tremendous improvement is a result of operational reforms initiated in the last three weeks. Immigration officers are working round the clock to clear the backlog and eventually ensure all future applications are processed without delay."

This marked improvement reflects the seriousness of relevant officers who have been said to work tirelessly around the clock to expedite the processing of passport applications.

Their dedication has not only reduced waiting times but has also restored hope to countless individuals awaiting their travel documents.

At the heart of these operational reforms is the department's determination to tackle the historical backlog, which has seen over 40,000 passport applications pending for an extended period.

In pursuit of this goal, the department announced it has implemented a series of strategic measures.

These include the deployment of day and night shifts to maximize passport printing capacity, the acquisition of state-of-the-art printing equipment, and the recruitment of additional immigration officers.

During an early morning meeting at Nyayo House with senior officers from the Immigration Department, Kindiki emphasized the significance of these reforms.

"The 10-day countdown to clear the historical backlog of pending 40,000 plus passport applications is on," Kindiki stated.

"Deployment of day and night shifts to facilitate full capacity printing of passports, procurement of modern printing equipment, and recruitment of additional immigration officers will help us resolve the systemic challenges that have hampered service delivery."

This substantial enhancement in passport processing is a welcome relief for the many applicants who have endured extended waiting times and disrupted travel plans due to the backlog.