The Commission on Administrative Justice,Ombudsman, wants the department of immigration Wants all passport applicants who were overcharged for passports be refunded.
Speaking during the launch of the report outlining irregularities in passport application procedure, the chairperson of the Commission Florence Kajuju said that the call to refund was reached after investigations revealed there was lack of suitable mechanisms to automate the refund of excess payments made by passport applicants.
“The Commission undertook investigations into allegations that the Department of Immigration was overcharging citizens for passports. The investigation was triggered by several complaints made on social media,” said the Commission.
The Ombudsman also noted that the immigration department lacked policies to guide employees on matters that arise from the application process including cancellation of an application.
Kajuju advised the Ministry of Interior led by Kithure Kindiki to increase budgetary allocation to the department.
According to Kajuju, the funds will allow the Department of Immigration Services to purchase new high-capacity passport printing machines, and service the old passport printing machines.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on May 31 promised the restoration of a broken passport printer within seven days, committing to the clearing of the current backlog by June 30.