On July 31, 2019, State Department of Immigration Principal Secretary Gordon Kihalangwa emphasized the importance of honesty in service delivery to immigration officers in Nairobi.
He noted that the department plays a critical role in the nation's security setup and that any corrupt activities by officers could put the state at risk.
Speaking during his farewell ceremony, Kihalangwa reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption and tribalism in the sector to ensure good service delivery.
“Immigration is supposed to be a service, not a haven to exploit Kenyans who are in dire need of assistance,” Kihalangwa asserted.
He highlighted the department's collaboration with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to eradicate corruption in the immigration sector.
As part of efforts to enhance efficiency, the department received Sh.300 million in the 2019/2020 budget for digitization of files and Sh.150 million for stamps acquisition.
Notably, in September 2019, police apprehended 71 immigrants being trafficked through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) with fake entry stamps on their passports.
Regarding the e-passport extension, Kihalangwa welcomed President Uhuru Kenyatta's decision to extend the deadline from August 31, 2019, to March 3, 2020.
As he transitioned to the defense portfolio, Kihalangwa advised officers to handle equipment and resources with care, given the challenges of hard economic times.
