CS Kindiki Appears Before Regional Integration Committee on Passport Issuance and Roadblocks Along the Northern Corridor
The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Prof. Kithure Kindiki today appeared before the Regional Integration Committee led by Hon. Wanjiku Muhia (Kipipiri) over issues relating to the East African Community Bloc.
In support of free movement of goods, services and people within the East African Community, the Committee tasked the CS to respond to the concerns raised on elimination of roadblocks and the status of passport issuance to the public.
Notably, the CS had committed to eliminate all roadblocks across the country, particularly the Northern corridor by 1st November, 2023.
In light of security concerns, Prof. Kithure Kindiki disclosed to the Committee that the Ministry is 60% compliant and 40% not because the Ministry has maintained some few roadblocks in selected areas along the Northern corridor.
Regarding passport issuance in-efficiencies, Prof. Kithure Kindiki had earlier cited budgetary constraints which was addressed and so the Ministry is expected to have cleared the backlog on the same.
While defending the Ministry, the CS said that they haven’t met the set targets complicated by exponential increase in demand of passports and that plans are underway to address the backlog and streamline the process.
Additionally, members of the Committee tasked the CS to pronounce himself on the assault done to Hon. Yakub Salah (Fafi) and the public by the immigration officers.
Remorsefully, the CS apologized on behalf of Interior and National Administration Ministry to the Honourable Member of Parliament and the general public for the indignified and backward treatment.
“I will submit an apology in writing, I can’t condone this assault,” remarked Prof. Kindiki.
On her part, Hon. Wanjiku Muhia directed the CS that her led Committee won’t tolerate seeing the public queue for long hours at Nyayo House on the issues of new passport issuance.
“We will not sit back,watch and wait to see Kenyans waste time there waiting while dishing out money to get assistance,” said Hon. Muhia.
However, the Committee urged the CS to curtail police officers from the menace of soliciting money on the Ministry’s selected roadblocks.
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