Cartel allegations prompt government action on Nyayo House passport section

For years, Nyayo House has harbored a secret underworld.

Cartels, like vultures, prey on those seeking passports, the gateway to dreams. Millions change hands here. Innocent faces, desperate for travel, unknowingly feed the beast.

In the recent past, media reports have revealed a web of extortion, forged passports, and illicit deals. Principal Secretary Julius Bitok oversees the entire operation.

"We’ve added 14 counters for ease and decongestion," Julius Bitok, Principal Secretary of the State Department of Immigration, stated.

A series of steps is meant to ensure that your travel document is ready for your next adventure. Citizen TV got exclusive access to the passport process and reforms. First is the application area.

"Most of those who come here get their passports within 7 days," added Julius Bitok.

After thorough scrutiny, your passport application receives the green light. The next stop? The production section.

"We’ve increased the number of recommenders and approvers from 60 to 100," Julius Bitok confirmed.

Once approved, your passport details are forwarded to the production team. Here, a well-orchestrated dance of machinery ensues. Booklets are meticulously arranged, ready for printing.

Peter Githuka, a dedicated production officer, oversees this critical phase. His typical day involves managing the printing machinery and ensuring quality control.

"My work is to print these passports. On a normal day, we are doing a 24-hour shift, able to produce 3000 to 3500 in a day," said Peter Githuka, Production Officer.

At the dispatch section, applicants wait to be called in for collection.

"You submit your forms here and we call names for picking up your passport. It's a 5-minute process," Julius Bitok explained.

From production, applicants receive communication to collect their passports. At the back wing, we are introduced to 14 counters bustling with eager travelers, each waiting for their passport. S

nida Agripa Kanyongo, a member of the Shona community originally from Zimbabwe, shares her anticipation for her passport.

"Niko na miaka mingi tangu nizaliwe sijaona karatasi wala stakabadhi yoyote tangu nizaliwe, lakini leo nimepata passport nimeshukuru Mungu," said Snida Agripa Kanyongo, Passport Applicant.

Sandra Cherotich, a student, recounts her experience during the application process.

"I'm pursuing energy engineering. We went through the process within 14 days and after coming here it has taken me about 5 minutes and I've received my passport," Sandra Cherotich, Passport Applicant, shared.

Amos Macharia Kimani, a Matatu Conductor, expressed his views.

We gain access to the passport storage section. Surprisingly, many ready passports remain uncollected.

"Over 87,000 passports are lying here while we’ve done all we can to call the applicants to come collect their passports, like this one belonging to Diana Waithera Muthoni," Julius Bitok revealed.

Bitok’s mission is to completely eliminate any delays in the passport section and clear the backlog of passport applications.

"According to the PS, financing the department is no longer a challenge," Julius Bitok assured.

According to PS Bitok, all passport applications will be processed within 7 days from the date of application.