President Ruto unveils new passports office in Bungoma

President William Ruto on Friday opened the Bungoma Immigration office, aimed at facilitating passport and travel document issuance in the broader Western Kenya region.

The office, situated in Bungoma town, will primarily serve residents of Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, and Trans Nzoia counties, totalling approximately six million people.

The President, who is on a three-day visit to Bungoma County which is hosting this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations, on Saturday issued the initial set of passports processed at the newly established office.

“We really appreciate the opening of this office as we can now easily apply for and collect passports without spending a lot of time and money travelling to Kisumu or Eldoret,” said Brian Simiyu, an IT graduate who hopes to pursue job opportunities in Dubai.

In addition to passport issuance, the new office will offer a dedicated eCitizen desk and a range of services, including work permits, residency applications, Electronic Travel Authorization, Temporary Permits, Interstate Pass, Refugee Travel Documents, and Certificate of Identity and Nationality.

The office location is considered critical as Bungoma is only 35 kilometres away from the Kenya-Uganda border town of Malaba and other nearby international crossing points. Bungoma has experienced a notable increase in visitors, particularly from the East African region.

Immigration and Citizen Services PS Julius Bitok said the Bungoma office will serve around 500 clients daily thereby easing the pressure on the Eldoret and Kisumu offices.

He added that more regional Immigration offices are planned for across the country as the government pursues the goal of making passport services cheaper and faster.

“We have a vision to make acquisition of passports an affordable and faster service. With the opening of more offices alongside other reforms we are undertaking, we believe it should be possible to issue passports within three days,” said Bitok.

The PS likewise urged Western Kenya residents to take advantage of the new office and regularise their travel papers and residency status.

He said the government is aware that many members of border communities in the region held registration papers from at least two neighbouring countries owing to social-cultural and economic ties without formally applying for dual citizenship.