National NewsNews
Government to devolve issuance of passports to Huduma Centres
Ruku says processing of certificates of good conduct has also been fasttracked in the wake of concerns about delays in their issuance across the country
The government is considering decentralising the issuance of passports to Huduma centres countrywide to facilitate a wider reach of the service to Kenyans.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said once the proposal is operationalized, immigration officers will be deployed at certain Huduma Centres to offer the crucial service at a time when Kenyans continue to increasingly seek jobs abroad.
“Passport application and issuance is one of the services that Kenyans ask whether they are offered at Huduma centres. We shall work closely with the Immigration department to synchronise the service and ensure the documents are processed at selected Huduma centres,” Ruku told journalists.
He spoke after making an impromptu tour of the Kiambu Huduma Centre in Thika town to assess service delivery. He had arrived at the facility as early as 7am where he found officers set and ready to offer services to Kenyans. He lauded them for their patriotism.
At the same time, the newly appointed CS said the government has undertaken to fasttrack the processing of certificates of good conduct in the wake of concerns about delays in their issuance across the country.
He noted that applicants have had to wait for weeks and months after having their fingerprints taken, costing thousands of job seekers opportunities as the vital document which is issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is key in verifying an individual’s criminal record status.
“We shall collaborate with the relevant agencies to hasten the issuance of the certificates of good conduct because they are time bound as some are required by employers as part of mandatory background checks,” said Ruku.
While reassuring the public that his ministry would work closely with all government departments to implement practical, timely, and citizen-centered reforms aimed at enhancing service delivery, he challenged the public servants to create an enabling environment for business and investment—whether local or international.
“I request all public servants to familiarize themselves with Article 232 of our Constitution which talks about the principles and values of public service so that we internalize what is in that Article while discharging our duties,” reiterated Ruku.
The CS further announced that that thousands of driving licenses and birth certificates are lying in government offices uncollected and appealed to the owners to go for them.
