Nyayo House Passport Troubles, Urgent Need for Transparency and Efficiency.

When one mentions Nyayo House, what comes into your mind? Corruption, inefficiency, frustration and despair. Yes, you heard me!

As a Kenyan, obtaining a passport in Kenya has turned into a frustrating ordeal, hindering our chances of international travel and exploring new horizons. At the heart of this issue lies Nyayo House, which was once meant to be a portal to the world but now finds itself marred by delays, obstacles, and allegations of corruption.

A while ago Professor Kithure Kindiki appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Security highlighted the seriousness of the matter. He warned that unless the corruption networks within Nyayo House are uprooted, the place could soon become a crime scene. This warning resonates with countless Kenyans who have struggled with the complexities of passport acquisition.

Dr. Fred Matiang'i, the former Cabinet Secretary for Interior, initiated efforts to cleanse Nyayo House of these corruption cartels. His unwavering dedication was evident through his frequent surprise visits to the premises, a clear indication that the government acknowledged the problem and aimed to restore the institution's integrity. Prof. Kithure Kindiki is also on the same path of ridding corruption cartels in Nyayo. What does this tell us? Either Dr.  Fred Matiangi was unable to deal with the same vice or perhaps made some impact to deal this problem.

Nonetheless, despite these endeavors, ordinary citizens continue to face hindrances, bureaucratic processes, and allegations of bribery when seeking passports. As a concerned citizen I share the same frustration with the rest of Kenyans who apply for passports. The corruptions cartels have exposed government efforts to deal with corruption in her service delivery to the people of Kenya.  Repeated inquiries about progress are always met with the frustrating responses that the passport printer is persistently malfunctioning which to me is a ploy to increase bribery stakes.

This revelation understandably outrages most Kenyans I firmly believe in an equitable system that treats everyone fairly, without resorting to underhanded practices.

This tale is just an indication of the wider challenges faced by Kenyans in obtaining passports. The system is undeniably broken, necessitating the government to take immediate action. Kenyan citizens deserve a passport acquisition process that is transparent, streamlined, and free from corruption.

The Cabinet Secretary for Interior's commitment to eradicating corruption within Nyayo House is a positive step, but it must be followed by concrete actions and visible change. Kenyans are eagerly anticipating Nyayo House's transformation from a symbol of frustration into an emblem of efficiency, justice, and transparency. The clock is ticking, and citizens rightfully demand a prompt, accountable, and corruption-free passport acquisition procedure.

In the interim, there are several ways Kenyans can contribute to resolving this situation. First, they can raise awareness by sharing their stories and experiences, I call upon Kenyans on Twitter to bring this issue to light. Second, we can engage with our elected Members of Parliament to demand concrete action. Lastly, we can collectively reject bribery and hold the government accountable for its promises.

Together, a change can be achieved, ensuring equal access to passports for every Kenyan.

Prof. Kithure Kindiki we demand action and put to rest passport acquisition pain.

Author,

Ekaale Ekuam

Freelance Writer, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Management Consultant.