Kenyan Passport Wait Times Slashed To 21 Days
The Kenyan government has significantly improved passport processing times, according to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.
Backlog Cleared, New Wait Times Announced
In a statement on May 13th, Kindiki announced the successful clearing of a massive passport backlog that had accumulated between June 2021 and March 2024. This backlog of 724,000 passports has now been printed, with over 684,500 already collected by applicants.
More importantly, Kindiki revealed a dramatic reduction in wait times for new applicants. “Going forward,” he declared, “all new applicants will receive their passports within 21 days from the date of application.” Urgent cases will be processed even faster, receiving their passports immediately.
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Overcoming Challenges
Kindiki acknowledged the various challenges that had contributed to the backlog. These included securing funding, settling debts with suppliers, addressing corruption, and acquiring new high-capacity printing equipment.
Focus on Efficiency and Collection
With the backlog cleared, the focus now shifts to expediting the collection of the remaining uncollected passports and ensuring long-term efficiency. Kindiki emphasized the need for improvements in archival, record management, registry, and information technology management.
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Further Wait Time Reductions Expected
Kindiki also hinted at plans for further reductions in processing times, outlining a specific timeline but withholding the details for now. This suggests a commitment to ongoing improvements in passport services for Kenyans.
