Kithure Kindiki: Govt To Lease Printing Machine, Kenyans To Start Receiving Passports Within 3 Days

• Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the current printing machines were too old, something he said was contributing to the backlog of passports
• Kindiki said the government has initiated plans to lease new machines from private investors because buying new ones is costly
• He said once the new machines are acquired, the government will start issuing passports within the shortest time

Nairobi - Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has disclosed plans by the government to lease new passport printing machines from the private sector.

Kindiki: What will entail printing machine leasing agreement

During a meeting with the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Regional Integration, Kindiki said acquiring a new machine is expensive, hence the need to partner with the private sector.

"Their capital cost is very high, and we will have to rely on some private sector funding through leasing without compromising on security," Kindiki said.

To ensure the country's security is not compromised through the new arrangement, Kindiki said the leased machines will be housed at the Government Printer and operated by state officials.

Kindiki said the lease arrangement will mirror the current medical equipment programme between counties and the national government.

"We will manage the equipment once it is delivered. Private investors will only provide the equipment, and we will enter into a lease-to-own arrangement or lease with specific timelines as is the case with leased medical equipment," he stated.

He told the lawmakers that the current printing machine was outdated, contributing to the passports backlog.

However, he assured the MPs that with the acquisition of new machines, the country will not experience the same challenges again.

"I agree with the need for leasing. We still have a backlog of passports. We are printing about 5,000 plus a day. And I believe that when I make my next public accountability statement in a month, there will be no backlog of passports," Interior CS added.

The CS noted that passports should be issued within 21 days of application, but this will reduce to seven days and eventually three days in a year's time with the acquisition of new machines.

Kindiki admits there's corruption at Nyayo House

In a related development, CS Kindiki vowed to clean up Nyayo House to ensure seamless processing of passports.

On Thursday, August 24, Kindiki admitted massive corruption at Nyayo House, where the Directorate of Immigration Services is hosted.

Kindiki regretted that some government officials had transformed Nyayo House into a centre for individuals preying on those seeking new passports.

"I have admitted that we have a problem in the Immigration Department. But I must say that there are also good officers who are serving patriotically,. There are others collecting bribes and harassing Kenyans," Kindiki said.

Kindiki disclosed that his office and that of President William Ruto had received reliable intelligence and complaints from Kenyans on how applicants are forced to give a bribe of as high as KSh 10,000 before their passports are processed.

"I have received a lot of complaints from Kenyans who are looking for passports. This is very unfortunate and cannot be allowed to continue unabated," he noted.