Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Bitok, on Friday, May 5, announced that the government had reduced the period of application and issuance of birth and death certificates.
According to the PS, Kenyans will receive the certificates on the same day of application.
"I have directed that those seeking birth certificates should come in the morning, and by evening, they have the certificate ready.
"There will be no waiting longer," the PS disclosed, offering relief to many applicants.
"I ask all registrars across the country, if anyone comes for a certificate, it is a one-day service," he added, speaking in Meru County during the launch of a new Civil Registration office in Nkubu, South Imenti sub-county.
"This is a very important office and will ensure the residents get services right at their doorstep. With this office, we are saving the residents time," the PS remarked.
The PS emphasised that the government was keen on ensuring that all services are digitised to ease access and also save time.
Bitok was keen to educate the public on the importance of the birth and death certificate, especially in dividing an inheritance.
“What it means when 45 out of every 100 deaths are not registered is that families may not be able to inherit the property of a deceased. In other cases, you will have dead people voting and doing other illegalities," Bitok stated.
Furthermore, the PS vowed to foot the bills for the first 1,000 residents to visit the newly opened offices.
On April 5, the PS announced the government had acquired at least 100,000 passport booklets after an uproar from Kenyans.
Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, on April 12, lamented that the shortage of birth certificates and IDs was due to insufficient resources.
"For a very long time, the equipment they have and the human resource capacity does not allow them to print enough security documents," he stated.
He added that citizens should receive birth certificates, IDs, and passports within 21 days.
