This archive report was first published on 27 July 2019.
On Saturday, July 27, 2019, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i officially opened a new passport center in Kisii, marking a significant step in the government's efforts to decentralize immigration services.
As part of this initiative, the government has earmarked 300 million shillings to establish more passport centers in rural areas, with the aim of reducing congestion in main offices in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.
Speaking at the event, Matiang'i emphasized the government's commitment to taking services closer to the people, saying, "We have launched the Kisii passport centre as we progressively decentralize issuance of new-generation travel documents from Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu. The station will be a game-changer in delivery of immigration services to the people of Gusiiland and neighbouring counties."
Since its opening in early June, the Kisii passport office has issued over 4,200 passports, serving an average of 200-250 people per day.
However, the center has also faced challenges, with residents complaining of losing their cash to brokers allegedly collecting bribes on behalf of officers. In response, Matiang'i directed the regional commander and area county commissioner to deploy detectives to monitor issuance of birth certificates at the Kisii Births and Deaths registration center to curb graft.
He appealed to residents to report any bribery cases to the department, warning that officers involved in the vice would be kicked out soon.
