Amidst mounting frustration over passport processing delays, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has taken decisive action by apprehending four individuals at Nyayo House. These arrests are part of a sweeping effort to dismantle cartels involved in defrauding Kenyans seeking passports, as the struggle for timely travel documents continues.

The crackdown was initiated shortly after Interior Secretary Kithure Kindiki ordered a thorough cleanup within the Immigration Department due to persistent complaints from citizens about prolonged passport processing times. The quartet was apprehended by DCI sleuths and promptly taken into custody at Central Police Station, following Interior Secretary Kindiki's directive.

The arrests stem from allegations of corruption, malfunctioning printing machines, and booklet shortages that have led to a backlog of passport applications, leaving numerous individuals with halted travel plans. The accused, including Josphat Khamandi Manyonyi, Howard Tsimbagi (alias Button), Ahmed Ibrahim Sheikh, and Hassan Mohamed Hosman, face charges related to conspiracy to defraud and preparing to commit a felony against unsuspecting members of the public.

In an official statement, the operation's objective was clearly outlined: targeting brokers exploiting the public and soliciting bribes for services that should be free. This crackdown aims to address the pressing concerns of inefficiency and corruption in service delivery. The arrested suspects' phones have been seized for further analysis to aid ongoing investigations.

Interior Minister Kindiki, during his appearance before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Security, underscored the urgency of addressing the passport processing predicament. He decried the distressing reports from citizens and expressed the President's concern over delays in passport issuance, even garnering international attention.

Consequently, the Director-General of Immigration, Evelyn Cheluget, summoned departmental heads to address the passport backlog at Nyayo House. The institution has now implemented night shifts to ramp up passport printing, offering extended service hours from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.

As the DCI's crackdown continues and the government takes measures to streamline passport processing, Kenyans hope for a swift resolution to the travel document woes that have inconvenienced many.