The Directorate of Immigration Services and Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) have launched passports delivery service that will see PCK deliver passports to applicants at a convenient physical address of their choice, or at the nearest postal office.
During the launch of the partnership, the two institutions signed an addendum to the initial MOU that will address countrywide coverage of passport delivery services as well as last mile door-to-door delivery by PCK, using their expansive network and courier services to all parts of the country at a minimal fee.
Speaking during the launch of the partnership, said Dan Kagwe, the CEO and Postmaster General of PCK that “in the era of Covid-19 pandemic, the strategic partnership with PCK would help decongest their premises by having documents delivered to Kenyan’s doorstep.”
“When the passport is ready for delivery the client will receive a notification that contains a link to the postal passport delivery self-service portal. The applicant is able to input the tracking number, personal details, select preferred delivery location and pay the minimal applicable delivery fee,” said Alexander Muteshi, the Director General, Directorate of Immigration Services.
Under the partnership, applicants will receive an SMS with instructions and a link to access Postal Passport Delivery Portal; Through the link, the self-service portal that “allows you to input your tracking number, personal details, delivery location, as well as pay the minimal delivery fee applicable. Payments are made through mobile money providers, such as M-Pesa, and Airtel Money,” said Mr. Muteshi.
The agreement will reduce the number of trips that passport applicants make to immigration offices to a single visit; for submission and biometrics. The partnership was necessitated by the need of the directorate to decongest and reduce the number of clients frequenting their offices as well as reduce the number of trips the client has to make in their quest to acquire a passport.
The partnership comes at a time when PCK is establishing itself as the ideal delivery partner for Government Agencies. The Corporation is mandated to provide accessible, affordable and reliable Postal Services to all parts of Kenya as per the PCK Act (1998).
In his remarks, Mr Kagwe said Posta Kenya is making efforts to respond to the fast-changing consumer needs in adaptation of new technologies, in order to enable the development of suitable last-mile delivery networks. “We have launched the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), a management strategy reform programme that forms the building blocks towards the achievement of a set of long-terms goals within 100 days.
Through the RRI, Posta seeks to improve delivery turnaround time and service level delivery at key branch offices countrywide, while sourcing new business from Government Agencies.
Mr Kagwe, said PCK has capacity to handle distribution and logistical services for NTSA and that the partnership would ease customer experience. He asserted that PCK’s long-established national network of over 600 branches countrywide and experience in last-mile delivery will be an added advantage.
PCK is currently a key partner with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) on last mile delivery of driving licenses and distribution of drugs to support the Universal Health Service to citizens among others.
