A shipment of 112,700 passport booklets arrived in the country on Wednesday evening, aiming to alleviate the passport issuance backlog and enhance efficiency in the process.

Dr. Julius Bitok, the Principal Secretary of Immigration, announced in a statement to the media that the consignment comprised 92,400 50-page (B-series) booklets and 20,300 66-page (C-series) booklets. Furthermore, he mentioned that additional booklets, including the 34-page (A-series), have been procured and are anticipated to arrive next month.

Dr. Bitok emphasized that passport issuance will prioritize applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Urgent travelers with pending 34-page passport applications are encouraged to upgrade to the 50-page booklet through the eCitizen portal, eliminating the need for physical visits to Immigration offices.

Applicants awaiting processing and those yet to collect their passports are advised to track their application status by sending an SMS with their eCitizen application reference code to 22222.

To boost passport issuance capacity, Dr. Bitok stated that the Immigration Department has acquired two cutting-edge passport printing machines, slated for commissioning by April 2024. Additionally, comprehensive infrastructural upgrades are underway to improve facilities and accommodate the increasing number of clients.

Acknowledging the surge in demand and the resultant backlog of applications, Dr. Bitok underscored the government’s commitment to intensifying passport printing efforts to address the issue promptly.