By Alex Maina
When you talk about traveling outside Kenya, that basically means going to look for greener pastures. For years, getting a passport in Uasin Gishu County was a stressful, uncertain process. Long delays, expensive trips to Nairobi or Kisumu, and unpredictable collection dates left residents anxious. Students, workers, and job seekers often had to wait months, losing opportunities abroad.
Mary, now a chef in Canada, recalls her struggle vividly. “A few years ago, I missed a chance to work in the U.S. because my passport was delayed. I waited over two months and by the time it arrived, the offer was gone. I only got an opportunity to move to Canada a year later, but that first chance was lost,” she shared via WhatsApp.
Talking with James on the passport collection line, he shares his thoughts with a mix of excitement and relief. He remembers the stories told by friends and peers about months of waiting, long trips to Nairobi or Kisumu, and endless uncertainty. The thought of going through the same ordeal made him anxious. Things today are different. He needs his passport to travel to Qatar in January, and seeing the organized line, the efficient process, and hearing the confirmation that his document is ready, he feels hope and relief wash over him. “I just hope it really is ready,” he says, clutching his phone nervously, a small smile forming as the officials call his name.
Talking with Aisha on the passport collection line, she was ecstatic. The 26-year-old from Turbo had secured a job in Saudi Arabia and feared delays would ruin her plans. “I couldn’t believe it when I got the message my passport was ready in two weeks!” she says, beaming. “This job is my chance to support my family, and now everything is on track.”
These experiences of waiting for long and travelling far are now becoming a thing of the past. Thanks to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, under the Directorate of Immigration Services, passport services have improved dramatically. Systems have been digitized and service delivery streamlined in Uasin Gishu.
Now, residents can apply and collect passports quickly without long trips or endless waiting. James received his passport in just two weeks, Aisha will start her job on time, and countless Kenyans are seeing new opportunities open up.
