In a swift turn of events on Friday, June 30, President William Ruto faced a stern ultimatum. This challenge, handed down by the Thirdway Alliance and its Party Leader Ekuru Aukot, addressed an ongoing passport crisis. The escalating issue, affecting countless Kenyans, demanded an immediate solution.
Escalating Issues and Mounting Frustration
Thousands of citizens remain in limbo, their travel plans stalled due to a backlog of passport applications. Passport booklet shortages and printer issues have caused the delays.
“Kenyans deserve a prompt response, not excuses,” declared Aukot, voicing the mounting frustration. The inability to promptly verify, approve, and print passports has left citizens discontented. Even those who fulfilled their responsibilities, from taxes to passport fees, await action.
Facing the Consequences of Delayed Passports
The brunt of this backlog isn’t minor inconvenience. Several Kenyans reported missing crucial opportunities, including job prospects and other economic ventures. One aggrieved citizen waited for his passport for over a year, despite settling the charges in May 2022.
An Emphatic Call for Legislative Measures and Automation
The Thirdway Alliance pressed for definitive legal timelines for passport issuance and renewal. It suggested the urgent need for automation in the system, similar to the successful model employed by Business Registration Services.
“Each application should receive a response within 2 hours,” Aukot argued. He further pointed to advancements in the country’s ICT sector as evidence that solving the crisis is entirely feasible.
Solutions Proposed: Enhanced Accessibility, Efficiency, and Accountability
To ensure officer accountability for delays, they suggested improving IT systems and creating an audit trail. The government has also improved its services by digitizing eCitizen services.
Aukot and his party also advocated for the devolution of passport issuance to county headquarters, which would greatly improve accessibility and efficiency. They urged President Ruto to eradicate any form of discrimination in the immigration office, ensuring all Kenyans receive their passports promptly upon submitting their biometric data.
Promises of Reform and Quick Turnaround
As of May 31, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki assured citizens that the processing and issuance of passports would henceforth take only one week. He confirmed that they repaired the faulty printer to expedite the process.
Kindiki pledged, “All new passport applications will be processed in seven working days, with emergency requests fulfilled in 48 hours.”
In the face of escalating frustrations and missed opportunities, the Kenyan public eagerly awaits the fulfilment of these promises, hopeful for a swift resolution to the ongoing passport crisis.