GARISSA, Kenya – Residents of Garissa and surrounding counties will no longer have to travel long distances to access passport services following the opening of a new immigration office in Garissa town.
President William Ruto inaugurated the facility on Thursday, fulfilling a campaign pledge to decentralize passport issuance and improve access to government services in the region.
The new office, which will also handle other immigration services, is expected to ease the burden for residents of Mandera, Wajir, and parts of Tana River, Lamu, Kitui, and Isiolo counties.
Previously, applicants had to make costly and time-consuming trips to Nairobi or other regional offices to obtain travel documents.
Ruto emphasized that the facility is part of his administration’s broader strategy to ensure equitable access to essential government services.
“We are committed to ensuring all citizens, regardless of their location, can access services without unnecessary hurdles,” he said during the launch.
The Garissa office becomes Kenya’s 10th passport application center and the third to be opened under Ruto’s leadership, following similar facilities in Kericho and Bungoma.
Other centers include Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Embu, Eldoret, and Kisii.
Passport issuance in Garissa was halted in 2014 to comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations, which required centralized printing of travel documents to enhance security.
However, the introduction of a modern e-Passport Management System has now enabled decentralization while maintaining global security standards.
Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok noted that the new office would likely see a surge in passport applications, especially following the recent removal of the controversial vetting process for national ID applicants from border counties.
“With the elimination of ID vetting and the opening of this office, we anticipate high demand for passports in the region,” Bitok said.
The office will also feature a dedicated migrant labor desk to fast-track passport applications for Kenyans seeking job opportunities abroad.
Additionally, it will play a key role in processing travel documents for the approximately 2,000 Hajj pilgrims from the region, as well as individuals traveling for medical, educational, business, and leisure purposes.
Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) Chair Hassan Ole Naado highlighted the importance of the new office, noting that over half of Kenya’s Hajj pilgrims come from Northeastern Kenya.
“This year, Kenya has been allocated 4,500 Hajj slots, and with visa applications due by April, the Garissa office will be instrumental in ensuring timely processing,” he said.
