{
  "id": 1256866,
  "title": "Garissa regional immigration office a game changer for northern region, officials say",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/garissa-regional-immigration-office-a-game-changer-for-northern",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T10:46:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KBC",
    "slug": "kbc",
    "url": "https://www.kbc.co.ke/garissa-regional-immigration-office-a-game-changer-for-northern-region-officials-say/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Garissa regional immigration office, reopened by President William Ruto less than two years ago, has made significant progress in delivering immigration services more conveniently to the people of northern Kenya. Deputy Officer In-Charge Abdi Sheikh Ali reports that the office, serving six counties including Tana River, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, and Isiolo, has processed over 16,000 passport applications, with 15,800 passports already issued. Ali attributes the success to the strong demand for such a facility in the region, as evidenced by the high response rate from residents. The office has implemented a system where applicants receive text messages when their passports are ready for collection, demonstrating the efficiency of the process. Fatuma Bare Mohamed, who recently collected her passport after five days, expressed her gratitude for the service being brought closer to her, as it would have been costly to travel to Nairobi with a young child. Habiba, another applicant, was delighted to receive her passport within one week. Sheikh Hassan Abdi, the chairman of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims for the Garissa branch, highlighted the importance of this milestone for his community, as it has enabled Muslims to participate in the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca more easily. With the reopening of the office, Sheikh Hassain noted that 5,000 Muslims from Kenya, including those from Garissa, can now afford to attend the pilgrimage. North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno emphasized the government's commitment to decentralizing services and promoting inclusivity for all Kenyans, as the office has facilitated the processing of passports within just five days, reducing travel costs and expenses.",
  "summary": "Barely one and half years after the reopening by President William Ruto, the Garissa regional immigration office has made tremendous strides in bringing and delivering the immigration services closer to the people. According to the Deputy Officer In-Charge Abdi Sheikh Ali, the Office which serves at least six counties including Tana River, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, […] The post Garissa regional…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}