By Dorothy Musyoka
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening reforms in the Immigration and Citizen Services sector to improve efficiency, inclusivity and access to essential services for all Kenyans.
Speaking during the meetingInterior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang met with Heads of Directorates in the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services to review progress made so far and chart the next phase of reforms aimed at consolidating recent gains and enhancing service delivery.
“The government has already abolished all fees for the first-time ID applicants, removed the extra vetting requirment for ID applicants in border counties without compromising security and fast tracked the issuance of Ids and passports,” noted CS Murkomen.
Additional reforms implemented by the Government include the scrapping of fees for authenticating birth certificates when applying for Ids and passports, as well as a waiver on charges for duplicate national identity cards.
These measures are intended to reduce the cost burden on citizens, eliminate bureaucratic delays, and ensure equitable access to registration and documentation services.
In attendance were the Secretary, National Registration Bureau, Dr Christopher Wanjau; Secretary, Civil Registration, Mr Paul Mwangemi; eCitizen Services Director-General, Amb. Isaac Ochieng; Immigration Services Director-General, Ms Evelyn Cheluget; Nairobi Regional Commissioner, Mr Gilbert Kitiyo; Commissioner for Refugee Affairs, Ms Mercy Mwasaru; Secretary, Administration, Mr Serser Chelulei; and other senior Government officials.