In a concerted effort to address the burgeoning demand for passports, the Directorate of Immigration Services has received a significant consignment of passport booklets amid growing calls to clear the backlog and expedite passport issuance.

This comes as Kenyan passport applicants are voicing their frustration while grappling with ongoing challenges in securing essential travel documents.

The 112,700 passport booklets, encompassing 92,400 50-page (B-series) and 20,300 66-page (C-series) booklets, were received on Wednesday evening.

"The Directorate of Immigration Services has received 112,700 passport booklets comprising 92,400 50-page (B-series) and 20,300 66-page (C-series) last evening," the Immigration Services announced.

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This substantial consignment supplements the 50,000 50-page booklets received just last week, reflecting the agency's proactive stance in meeting citizen needs.

The arrival of additional booklets, including the 34-page (A-series), slated for next month could signal a forward-looking approach to cater to diverse passport requirements.

Immigration and Citizen Services PS Julius Bitok, flanked by Director General Immigration Evelyn Cheluget and other officials, officially received the consignment at Nyayo House, Nairobi, highlighting the government's concerted efforts to streamline passport issuance processes.

Addressing the pressing concerns of applicants awaiting passport issuance, the Directorate has prioritized a first-in-first-out approach.

Moreover, applicants with pending 34-page passports necessitated by urgent travel are encouraged to upgrade their applications to the 50-page booklet through the eCitizen portal, obviating the need for physical visits to Immigration offices.

To provide applicants with real-time updates on their applications, the Directorate has implemented a convenient tracking mechanism.

Applicants can now track the status of their applications by simply sending an SMS with their eCitizen application reference code to 22222, ensuring transparency and ease of access to vital information.

In a bid to enhance passport issuance capacity and reduce waiting times, the Directorate has procured two state-of-the-art passport printing machines set for commissioning by April 2024.

Furthermore, additional servers have been installed to bolster system stability and safeguard crucial data, aligning with modern technological advancements.

Acknowledging the importance of infrastructure in service delivery, the Directorate is currently engaged in a comprehensive infrastructural upgrade of its facilities.

Bitok said the initiative aims to create a more user-friendly environment and accommodate the surge in the number of clients efficiently.

"Further, the Directorate is currently undertaking a comprehensive infrastructural upgrade of its facilities to provide a user-friendly environment and to accommodate the high rise in the number of clients," he said.

As the Directorate of Immigration Services continues to implement these strategic measures, it reaffirms its unwavering commitment to providing seamless passport services to citizens and residents alike, ensuring mobility and facilitating global connectivity.