Kenya Private Sector Alliance meets with the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government.
Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) held a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government Dr. Fred Matiang’i, on 29th June 2018 at Radisson Blue Hotel in Upper Hill, Nairobi. The main agenda for the meeting was to discuss issues on immigration, citizenship, work permits & passport application, renewal and processing time.
The Cabinet Secretary Dr, Fred Matiang’i assured investors of cooperation from the government but warned that some work permits will be cancelled if found not to be in compliance with the law. “The issuance of work permit would continue but strictly within the law.” Dr. Fred Matiang’i CS – for interior and coordination of National Government.
Dr. Matiang’i reassured the attendees that the business of the government is to support business and we can support business by every little action. He shared “how fast you process papers, how well you treat the people you deal with and how effectively you answer the questions you are asked matters a lot.”
“While the issuance of the crucial documents continues, the Ministry will work to identify the officers who have been facilitating illegal activities at the Department of Immigration. However, the Ministry has given July 22nd as the cut-off date for the ongoing scrutiny. After that, they will deploy officers to fish out illegal immigrants, who will subsequently be deported.” Added Dr. Fred Matiang’
The CS also assured investors and the private sector that they would continue to receive the support of the government.
The President firmly instructed that when it comes to investment and private sector work permits, they should fast track them and process them quickly. The Cabinet Secretary, Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) – Mr. Joe Mucheru, will invest more resources to strengthen ICT capacity for efficient service delivery. Moreover, the Principal Secretary for Immigration, is under instructions to facilitate the speed issuance of the documents and gave out his personal number for direct contact if applicants experience hitches
Maj Gen. (Rtd) Dr. Gordon Kihalangwa, Immigration Principal Secretary advised investors to apply for permanent residence if their mother countries do not allow for dual citizenship.
“Permanent residence is as good as citizenship only that you will not vote. Foreigners can get citizenship after seven years’ stay here in Kenya but it is also not automatic because we need to see why you want to become a citizen,” Dr. Gordon Kihalangwa.
It was agreed that a KEPSA desk will be set up at immigration to deal with all business issues.