The State Department for Immigration under the Ministry of Interior and National Administration has been allocated KES. 15.13 billion in the budget statement for the 2024/25 financial year. According to a statement from the department, this allocation is dedicated to digitizing government services, in order to improve efficiency by reducing wait times and offering greater accessibility through online platforms.
The population management services have been allocated a total of KES 6.88 billion. The funds will serve several purposes including the processing of 7.5 million ID Cards. The government statement indicates these will be digital and 3rd generation Ids. This means issuance of the Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) may finally begin this year. The process has faced several hurdles in the past.
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The government also plans to issue 1.5 million e-Passports. Further part of the funds will be channeled towards processing 6.3 million birth certificates and 2.3 million e-Visas.
For Passport matters, treasury has allocated KES. 7.03 billion for migration and citizen services. These funds have been earmarked for the purchase of 2 high-capacity passport printers. Secondly, the department plans to move 48,000 refugees to designated housing camps away from urban centres. The funds will also be used to implement facial recognition systems at 9 key border crossings.
Further, the ministry of interior promises to use the allocation to fast track the implementation of a Visa free regime.
During the FY24/25 the immigration department will bring 78 agencies online through the Integrated Population Registration Database System (IPRS) and make 33,800 government services available on e-Citizen.
KES 1.22 billion of the KES 15.1 billion has been allocated for general administration and planning. In total, treasury allocated KES 197.48 billion to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.
