Residents of Kajiado North can now access birth certificates more easily following the establishment of a civil registration office at the Ngong DCC Offices.
The new office is expected to significantly reduce the burden on residents who previously travelled long distances to Kajiado Town to process birth registration documents.
Civil Registration Officer Mercy Chepkorir said the office has improved access to birth registration services and reduced delays in processing documents for families within the sub-county.
“The Civil Registration Office opened here at Ngong DCC Offices, and issues birth certificates for Kajiado North Sub-county residents. If applicants have all the required documents, processing takes only two working days,” said Chepkorir.
She urged residents to avoid brokers and middlemen who demand bribes while pretending to facilitate the registration process.
According to Chepkorir, birth registration begins immediately after delivery in hospitals and health facilities through the issuance of a birth notification document, which is later used to process the official birth certificate.
She explained that current birth registration costs Sh210, while late registration carried out after six months costs Sh510 through the eCitizen Kenya platform.
For late registration, parents are required to provide supporting documents, including a letter from the area chief, the child’s clinic or vaccination card, and copies of the parents’ national identification cards.
Chepkorir added that replacement of lost birth certificates attracts the same charges as new applications, while amendments such as correction of names cost Sh1,000.
She further revealed that the government now recognises intersex persons during birth registration, meaning applicants are no longer restricted to male or female categories only.
“The registration system now accommodates intersex persons as part of efforts to ensure inclusivity and equal recognition for all citizens,” she said.
However, the officer noted that delays in processing can still occur when hospitals submit birth records late or when there is a backlog of applications, especially in January when many parents rush to secure documents for school admissions.
Residents have welcomed the new office, saying it has made the process more convenient, efficient, and less costly.
Ruth Ashuma, a resident of Ngong Town, said the new office had eased the process of obtaining birth certificates.
“I applied for my child’s birth certificate at Ngong Sub-county Hospital, and after submitting the notification at the Civil Registration Office, I was asked to collect the certificate after one week,” said Ashuma.
She noted that the process is now much simpler and faster compared to previous years, when residents had to travel to Kajiado Town and wait longer periods before receiving the documents.
“Previously, we used to spend more money and time travelling to Kajiado, but now the services are closer to us, and the process is faster,” she added.
Civil registration officials have encouraged parents and guardians to register births immediately after delivery to avoid unnecessary delays and ensure children can easily access essential services such as education, healthcare, and national identification documents in future.
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The government has continued to decentralise civil registration services across the country in a move aimed at improving access to critical documentation and reducing congestion at county registration offices.
By Kimutai Langat
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