Deputy President Kithure Kindiki marked his exit from the Interior Ministry by highlighting significant victories in security and immigration reforms. In his recent address at Harambee Annex, Kindiki detailed his accomplishments over two years, emphasizing his role in cracking down on banditry and reforming passport services, which had faced long delays and corruption.

One of his proudest achievements, Kindiki noted, was the large-scale operation against banditry. By designating troubled areas like Northern Rift Valley, Lamu, and North Eastern Kenya as “disturbed” zones in 2023, Kindiki mobilized the police and military to regain control. He credited these actions for restoring calm to regions once plagued by bandit attacks. Kindiki shared that security forces eliminated bandit groups, forcing many out of hiding and suppressing crime networks that had tormented residents for decades.

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Kindiki also highlighted the government’s support in his campaign, acknowledging that President William Ruto’s commitment provided crucial resources. This sustained push against bandits, he said, finally dismantled the networks that had empowered gangs and criminals for over 40 years.

Besides security improvements, Kindiki pointed to passport processing reforms as a major success. Under his leadership, the once-long waiting time for passports was drastically cut. Kindiki said that his team reduced the processing time from over a year in 2022 to just seven days, eliminating a backlog of over 724,000 applications. Despite the remaining 85,000 uncollected passports, he is optimistic about achieving a three-day processing goal by year’s end.

In addition, Kindiki claimed victory over passport cartels, revealing that 17 immigration officers and ringleaders were arrested and face prosecution. This crackdown on corrupt practices has, he asserted, led to a more efficient immigration department.

In his concluding remarks, Kindiki expressed pride in leaving behind a ministry more secure and efficient, confident that these changes will endure even as he takes on his new responsibilities as Deputy President.