State now clears backlog of pending work permits

By MWANIKI MUNUHE

KENYA;The Government has now cleared the backlog of work permits that have been pending, Director of Immigration Jane Waikenda told The Standard on Sunday on Saturday.

The exercise was completed two weeks ago and applicants whose work permits had been pending are required to pick them at the Department t of Immigrations.

“We have now completed the work of dealing with permits that had been pending. At least 3,000 such documents have been cleared and owners are encouraged to come to the Department of Immigration to pick them,” she said.

Work permits had in the recent past raised anxiety among investors who cited difficulties in securing the documents. Waikenda (pictured) said that the economy is expected to improve following the presidential directive to give five to ten year visa’s to foreign investors.

“Following the presidential directive, many investors are now applying for visa’s in order to invest in Kenya. We are looking at the applications in line with the laid-down procedures. However, we think the move will create employment for our people and consequently that will have a positive effect on the national economy,” she said. Waikenda was, however, categorical that work permits will not be issued for jobs that local people have capacity to perform in order to create employment opportunities.

“We want to encourage investors because we must create wealth and build our economy. But we want to ensure security threshold is adhered to. We cannot allow briefcase investors. We will not issue work permits for jobs that can be done by Kenyans. And even those that we provide with work permits, must obey our Kenyanization programme (A programme that requires transfer of skills to locals),” she said.

In the last few years, Immigration has been put on the spot over massive corruption in issuance of immigrations documents especially to foreigners. “This country is not for sale. Our national interest is paramount. Immigrations is a security issue. In line with the Jubilee Manifesto, we are committed to fighting corruption in public service,” she said.