NAIROBI, Kenya- The Directorate of Immigration has announced plans to dispose of all uncollected passports in six months.
According to a statement by Julius Bitok, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, the move aims to free up storage space within the department.
The directive, dated July 31, 2024, aligns with Section 31 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act and Regulations, the Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act (CAP 38), and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations on the handling and delivery of travel documents.
Currently, the Directorate holds 110,059 uncollected passports across its offices. The breakdown of uncollected passports includes Nairobi (55,504), Kisumu (11,707), Embu (10,816), Mombasa (8,696), Nakuru (8,615), Eldoret (8,551), Kisii (5,719), Kericho (3,899), and Bungoma (62).
The accumulation of these documents has put a strain on storage facilities, prompting the need for action.
To streamline the collection process, the Directorate has suspended the requirement for applicants to book appointments to collect their passports.
Applicants are encouraged to collect their passports from the station where they initially submitted their applications.
In response to a Presidential directive aimed at facilitating travel for Kenyans pursuing job opportunities abroad, the Directorate has also established dedicated Migrant Labour counters.
These counters are designed to expedite passport applications for individuals with proof of intent, as issued by relevant institutions.
To enhance transparency and communication, the Directorate has implemented a system for applicants to track their passport application status.
Applicants can send an SMS with their eCitizen tracking number to 22222 for updates.
