Govt boosts immigration service with 91 live capture machines
By Kiprono Keileb, January 6, 2026The government has moved to strengthen immigration and citizen services after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen held a high-level meeting with senior officials to review preparedness and service delivery for the year ahead.
The meeting brought together the leadership of the State Department of Immigration and Citizen Services at a time when demand for registration and documentation services continues to rise across the country.
In a statement shared after a strategic meeting held on Tuesday, January 6, 2025, Murkomen met with Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang and the heads of various directorates to assess progress, identify gaps, and agree on priorities aimed at improving efficiency and access, particularly for Kenyans in remote and underserved areas.
“The CS for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, today held a strategic meeting with PS Belio Kipsang and Heads of Directorates of the State Department of Immigration and Citizen Services to review key departmental developments and preparations for the year ahead,” the statement reads in part.
The discussions focused on day-to-day operations, long-term planning, and ways to address challenges that slow down service delivery. Officials were encouraged to speak openly about issues affecting their departments so that solutions could be found early.
“The strategic meeting focused on ensuring smooth operations, effective delivery of core programmes and addressing any operational challenges that may affect service delivery. The Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring theState Department runs efficiently and encouraged Directorate Heads to openly raise any challenges within their respective directorates that require attention,” the statement adds.
A key highlight of the meeting was the announcement of new equipment that is expected to improve mobile registration services significantly. This comes as the government steps up efforts to reach communities that have historically struggled to access identification and immigration services.
“During the strategic meeting, Belio informed the Cabinet Secretary of the acquisition of 91 live capture machines, which will enhance ongoing mobile registration efforts, particularly in the 15 disadvantaged counties. Plans to strengthen operational mobility through the acquisition of vehicles were also highlighted,” the statement adds.
The new machines are expected to reduce long queues, cut travel costs for citizens, and speed up the processing of documents such as IDs and other registration services. Officials said improved mobility will allow teams to stay longer in the field and cover more ground.
The meeting also reflected on recent nationwide engagements that shaped the department’s approach to service delivery, particularly on security and community needs.
“The Principal Secretary further appreciated the Cabinet Secretary for the successful Jukwa La Usalama exercise, which effectively highlighted the unique challenges faced by different counties, thereby enabling targeted outreach and expanded registration services across the country,” the statement added.
With these measures, the government says it is aiming to bring services closer to the people, improve efficiency, and ensure no Kenyan is left out, especially in marginalised regions where access to registration services has remained a challenge for years.