Nairobi: Barely one and a half years after the reopening by President William Ruto, the Garissa regional immigration office has made significant strides in delivering immigration services closer to the people. According to Kenya News Agency, the Deputy Officer In-Charge, Abdi Sheikh Ali, stated that the office, which serves at least six counties including Tana River, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, and Isiolo, has processed over 16,000 passport applications, with over 15,800 passports already collected.
Ali highlighted that the reopening of the office, which was closed in 2014 by the previous government, marks a milestone in decentralizing immigration services to the north eastern region. “This office was launched by the president on 6th February last year, and it has since dealt with 16,084 passport applicants, of which we have already issued 15,800 passports,” said Ali. He emphasized the high demand for the passport office in the region and expressed satisfaction with the positive response from residents.
Among those benefitting from the office’s services is Fatuma Bare Mohamed, who collected her passport just five days after application. Fatuma praised the seamless and efficient process, noting the convenience of having the office nearby, which saved her the cost of traveling to Nairobi. Similarly, Habiba, another applicant, was elated to collect her passport after just one week.
Sheikh Hassan Abdi, the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) chairperson for the Garissa branch, noted the significance of the office for the Muslim community, especially for those attending the Ramadhan Hajj prayers in Mecca. The office has set up a special desk to fast-track passport processing for Hajj travelers. Sheikh Hassan expressed gratitude for the government’s efforts in abolishing the vetting process for national ID cards and establishing the immigration office in Garissa.
North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno emphasized the government’s commitment to bringing services closer to the people and promoting inclusivity. He noted that the office’s reopening has facilitated quicker passport processing, reducing the need for residents to travel to Nairobi or Mombasa. “This office has reduced the cost in terms of expenses used to travel,” Otieno remarked.
