Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki orders removal of corrupt officials from immigration department
The department seeks 5 billion shillings to raise revenue collections up from 20 billion shillings to 100 billion shillings annually
He however apologized to the Fafi MP Salah Yakub for the torturous incident in the hands of police officers demanding bribes
The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Prof Kithure Kindiki has now publicly apologized for the malfeasance and mistreatment of Fafi legislator Salah Yakub, when he was manhandled and beaten by rogue officers at the corruption bedridden Nyayo House here in Nairobi
While appearing before the National Assembly’s Committee on Regional Integration Chaired by Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia to consider the status of passport issuance and police road blocs along the Northern Corridor, Kithure admitted of taking full responsibility for the mess done by his junior officers which happened on December, last year
“I want to apologize to Kenyans who have been mistreated at Nyayo House and Fafi MP Salah Yakub, nobody is supposed to be manhandled by public servants, and to this extend, they were demanding bribes. I am taking responsibility,’’ Kithure stated while admitting of rampant corruption at the state department of immigration
The CS, sought legislator’s patience that he will weed out the procurement department and security officers suspected to have been engaging in malpractices will be removed within two weeks’ time
“Corruption is rampant at Nyayo House, but we will have to clean the department within 10 days, the security officers engaging in corrupt deals will be removed as well as procurement officers,’’ Kithure announced
On the issuance of passport and reduction of the backlog, the CS sought 90 days to make sure that the number is reduced to manageable figures
“We have to be honest to Kenyans, the picture of pregnant women and mothers crowding at Nyayo House while seeking the document is disrespectful to the Kenyans and we shall find a way of reducing that crowding as from next week,’’ he stated
Kithure noted that if the department of immigration is given Sh 5 billion from the exchequer will be in a position to address all the shortcomings and jump revenue collections up from 20 billion shillings to 100 billion shillings annually
He disclosed that the department has a backlog of 724,761 passport applications where they are awaiting the next consignment of passport booklets of 168,000 by mid-march 2024, which again isn’t enough
Notably the disruption in the international market has negatively affected timely delivery of passports booklets
According to the CS, the allocated amount of Sh 1.2 billion for the financial years 2024/2025 is inadequate, noting that Principal Secretary at the State Department of Immigration Julius Bitok had sought Sh 1.7 billion from Treasury on December 2023 to procure e-passport booklets
“This allocation is not adequate to procure 772,000 e-passports at the current exchange rate, it requires Ksh 1.8 billion,’’ he stated
On the Erection of Road Blocs along Northern Corridor, Kithure noted that all the National Police Service have eliminated all road blocs across the country and replacing them with erecting an impromptu intelligence led road checks prompted by counter-terrorism surveillance
“Police officers at road blocks enforce various laws, including those related to traffic offenses, driving under the influence of drugs and vehicle overloading. They may also check for outstanding warrants on any criminal activities,’’ he stated
In light of security concerns, the CS, said the road bolcs are set up as measure to prevent and respond to potential terrorist threats
However, Kithure disclosed that there has been some criminal elements coming into the country from different countries, luckily many have been apprehended by police officers at the designated road blocks areas, many being caught at Athi River road block