Express passports to be issued within a day

By MWANIKI MUNUHE

The government has launched a new programme that will see applicants of express passports issued with the document within a day, Director of Immigration Services Jane Waikenda has said.

Similarly, she added, work permits are expected to be dispensed within the next few days.

By close of business yesterday, at least 1,700 work permits had been completed by the committee handling the matter from a backlog of at least 3,000 applications.

“We have set up a desk for express passports applications. Provided you have a genuine concern that makes you want to travel as a matter of urgency, then we should be in a position to issue you with a passport within a day as long as your documents are in order,” she said.

Briefcase investors

The government had launched investigations into allegations of corruption in issuing of passports, raising serious security concerns.

Waikenda was however categorical that work permits would not be issued for jobs that local people can do, in order to create employment opportunities.

“We want to encourage investors because we must create wealth and build our economy. But we want to ensure a security threshold is adhered to. We cannot allow briefcase investors. And even those we provide with work permits must obey our Kenyanisation programme (A programme that requires transfer of skills to locals),” she said.