The Immigration department in Bungoma county has called on the government to provide a passport processing machine to reduce the transport cost by the residents travelling to either Kisumu or Eldoret for the document. Officer in charge Robinson Opat yesterday said the department, which started its operation in April, has dedicated staff but lacks the machine.
"Residents have been flocking into our offices for the services, but we are crippled due to lack of the machine. We have to give them forms to fill and refer them to Eldoret or Kisumu to get the passports," Opat said. He said he has been requesting the government to provide them with the machine but his pleas have not been answered.