By Ben Leshau and
Stephen Maranga
Applicants seeking birth certificates in Narok County have decried exploitation by some rogue registration officials who allegedly demand bribes of between Sh500 to Sh1, 000.
Some of the parents who had turned up to obtain the document for their children as stipulated by the Education Ministry told Education News that getting the document has proved a daunting task to them.
Pastor Salvan Ntokoiwan who had collected some documents for some members of his church, narrated how he has been camping at Narok North Registration of births and deaths office for the last three days without success.
“I came here on Sunday, spent in town and woke up to look for the duments on Monday.I queued and upon reaching the office an officer demanded that I give her Sh800 per form for her to process for me the over 20 forms yet I had only budgeted Sh150 per form,”said Ntokoiwan.
Ntokoiwan who hails from Olposimoru said he has been forced to incur a lot in accommodation in search for the document that now seems elusive maintaining that he won’t part with a cent as it is against his religious faith.
Last week, Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives arrested a Huduma Centre Narok employee for allegedly soliciting a Sh1, 000 bribe from a parent to fast track processing of a birth certificate.
Another applicant William Kosgei who hails from Sogoo Ward in Narok West has spent Sh2, 800 fare for the last seven days which translates to Sh400 daily seeking for the certificates for his five children
Ironically, despite some applicants paying Sh1, 000, the receipt indicates that he/she has paid Sh150.
Sought for comment, area Registrar Juma Masinde urged parents seeking services to report any incidence of bribery.
Education PS Belio Kipsang said so far, only 3.8 million (35 per cent) out of 11 million students have registered.
Elswhere, more parents are frequenting the Kisii Huduma Centre seeking births certificates for their children. The centre also assist those seeking national identification cards, driving licences, certificate of good conduct among others.
The Huduma center manager, Diana Neseka said they assist all people.
She said more parents were rushing to beat the deadline of registration of pupils.
