The government is preparing to scrap charges for birth certificate applications in a move expected to transform access to civil documentation for millions of citizens.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that the proposal, now awaiting final approval by President William Ruto, is part of wider reforms to strengthen inclusivity and eliminate barriers that have long excluded vulnerable populations from formal recognition.
Currently, a standard birth certificate costs KSh200, late registration attracts KSh500, while re-issuance or corrections cost KSh1,000. For many low-income households, these fees have been prohibitive, leaving children undocumented and unable to access education, healthcare, or social protection.
Speaking in Kirinyaga County during the commissioning of an Assistant County Commissioner’s office, Murkomen said the waiver mirrors earlier reforms such as the removal of national ID registration fees, which significantly boosted uptake.
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“No Kenyan should be denied the right to an official identity due to cost or distance. Access to birth certificates is a fundamental step toward realizing this goal,” he said.
The government has also decentralized civil registration services by placing offices at constituency ID centres, reducing the need for citizens to travel long distances. This is expected to particularly benefit rural and marginalized communities where infrastructure challenges and transport costs have historically hindered timely registration.
Education is among the sectors set to benefit most. Birth certificates are mandatory for school enrolment, and the waiver will ensure children are not locked out of learning opportunities due to financial constraints. Healthcare services, including immunization and maternal-child programs, will also be strengthened through improved documentation.
The initiative further addresses social equity, targeting marginalized groups such as nomadic pastoralists and residents of informal settlements who have long faced barriers to registration. By removing fees and expanding access points, the government is affirming that every citizen counts.
From an administrative perspective, the policy promises stronger national data collection. Civil registration is the backbone of accurate population statistics, which guide planning, resource allocation, and development policies.
The proposal aligns with constitutional guarantees under Article 53, which affirms every child’s right to registration and nationality from birth, as well as international commitments under the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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While implementation details are still being finalized, the potential impact is clear: families will secure their children’s identities without financial strain, schools and hospitals will serve more documented learners, and the government will benefit from a more robust civil registration system.
Experts caution, however, that success will depend on adequate funding, staffing, and public awareness campaigns to ensure the waiver reaches those most in need.
If adopted, the policy will mark a historic step toward social justice and inclusive development, underscoring that identity is a right, not a privilege.
By Hillary Muhalya
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