Nakuru grapples with rising number of E-passports applicants

At least 4,000 people apply for the new passport at the South Rift Valley Immigration office in Nakuru Town every month.

According to a senior official at the department of Immigration in Nakuru, more than 200 applications are processed daily.

Long queues were witnessed at the offices on Monday as more applicants sought to apply for the e-passport. The department has put up a special tent to accommodate the increasing number of applicants.

CONGESTION

 “We are trying to reduce the congestion but more people are arriving daily. We serve at least 200 people daily,” said the officer in charge of the department Mr John Kamion.

“This is the second week I am coming here and I still cannot predict when I will get my new passport,” said Mr Joseph Kibirengei.

“I have been invited to attend a church conference in the US in December and I am optimistic my application will go through,” said another applicant.

The officer said that some of the applicants were to blame for the delay in processing their e-passports as they were not providing all the necessary documents.

“For submission of e-passport application, the applicants must provide biometric appointment showing date and time, one original e-Citizen pre-filled passport application form and two printed paid invoices,” said Mr Kamion.

IDENTIFICATION CARDS

Besides, the applicants are also required to attach their identification cards, original birth certificates and a copy, original passport and copies of the last four pages for replacement.

Other crucial documents required include parents’ identification documents or death certificate and consent forms for minors and three passports for adults. The officer said that those replacing passports should come with the old ones during collection of new passport for cancellation.