More than 57,000 printed passports remain uncollected at various immigration centres across Kenya, Immigration Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang has disclosed. Speaking before the National Assembly’s Regional Integration Committee, Kipsang said that as of June 9, 2025, a total of 57,334 passports had yet to be claimed, despite applicants being notified via text messages.
The committee, chaired by Nominated MP Irene Mayaka, was visiting the Immigration Department to assess reforms aimed at improving passport processing and service delivery. Kipsang assured the committee that the department had made major strides, including the acquisition of two advanced passport personalization machines and the procurement of one million passport booklets.
“We have also recruited 286 new officers and conducted in-house training on integrity and customer care,” Kipsang stated. These reforms contributed to the issuance of 621,805 passports in 2024 alone, a significant increase from previous years.
However, concerns were raised about the growing backlog of uncollected passports. Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia warned that some of these passports might belong to Kenyans urgently seeking opportunities abroad. “Some applicants use cyber cafés and may not own mobile phones. Don’t just operate from your offices—go out of your way to find these people,” she urged.
MPs called for the Immigration Department to adopt more proactive communication methods beyond SMS notifications. Mayaka encouraged the use of local networks and even Members of Parliament themselves to relay information. “MPs have established communication channels with constituents. Use these platforms to inform and mobilize the public,” she suggested.
Additionally, the committee pushed for faster processing of Work Permits and Permanent Residence applications for foreigners, emphasizing the need for efficiency across all immigration services.
The committee is scheduled to undertake a fact-finding mission to examine the passport application, processing, and collection systems. The move aims to identify bottlenecks and explore innovative solutions to ensure timely delivery and collection of passports. The uncollected documents pose a logistical challenge and highlight the need for broader outreach and citizen engagement.
