Govt Proposes Making Immigration Dept Independent Agency

The government is considering a transformation of its Immigration and Citizen Services by proposing to turn it into an independent service, separate from the Ministry of the Interior.

Principal Secretary Julius Bitok revealed this plan during discussions aimed at giving the immigration department a fresh start and ridding it of its tarnished reputation.

The move would see the Directorate of Immigration become an autonomous entity, much like the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) or the National Police Service. Bitok highlighted that this would enhance professionalism in the department, positioning it as a vital national service.

“We’re contemplating changing migration into a service—just like KRA or NIS—because these are the people responsible for critical work, such as handling our vital documents,” Bitok remarked during a Friday briefing. He went on to outline that discussions are ongoing, and consultations with the government are in progress to ensure a successful transition.

He added, “Because these are people who are responsible for the very critical work of ensuring that they gather our documents. So, we are working hard to ensure that the migration is professional, and we have made a proposal that soon we may need to get a new address to help us get that, that new face.”

Nyayo House, where passports, a crucial government document, are processed has been for years riddled with corruption claims. The passport issuance process represents a multibillion Ksh industry, characterized by tight control over supplies and tenders for essential items such as ink, booklets, and related services.

Frequently, the backlogs in passport applications appear to be artificially created by corrupt cartels. This manipulation fosters a sense of urgency among applicants, compelling them to resort to bribery to expedite the issuance of their documents.

One of the central pillars of this reform is relocating the department’s headquarters from its current base at Nyayo House, a building that has long been synonymous with corruption.

Bitok admitted the need for a new address, stating, “Our current location has been tainted with many past issues. “We’re working hard to secure a new face for immigration—one that serves Kenyans and foreigners with the highest professionalism.”

The Principal Secretary was unambiguous in his desire to shed the department’s association with corruption, a perception that has clung to Nyayo House for decades.

“The history and ills of Nyayo House are not something we’re proud of,” he remarked. “We’re in talks to determine if moving out is the best way to demonstrate our commitment to doing things differently.”

Pressure from various sectors, including the National Assembly, has been mounting for reforms. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had previously vowed to tackle corruption head-on at Nyayo House, even describing it as a “crime scene” that was directly contributing to national issues such as insecurity and terrorism.

Bitok’s announcement comes as the department also struggles with a backlog of over 90,000 uncollected passports, which is straining the department’s storage facilities. The government has urged applicants to collect their documents to help ease this pressure.

Relocating immigration services and transforming them into an independent body is viewed by many as a necessary step toward restoring public trust in a sector that has been under scrutiny for too long. The challenge now lies in ensuring that these reforms are not just promises but become concrete actions that deliver a better experience for all Kenyans.