The government has developed a three-year plan to ensure all 290 constituencies have civil registration centres, State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services PS Julius Bitok has announced.
Bitok noted that civil registration centres are currently operational in 159 sub-counties against a possible 406 sub-counties countrywide.
“This is an increase of 34 sub-counties since 2021,” the PS noted.
Bitok made the remarks on Tuesday when he appeared before the National Assembly’s Implementation Committee.
He was responding to a Motion by Maragwa MP Mary Wamaua, “urging the government to establish database centres in all civil registration centres for purposes of storing all the necessary information required for issuance of birth certificates to children.”
The Motion was approved by the House on May 3, 2024.
A well-developed and functioning civil registration system ensures the registration of all vital events including births, marriages and deaths and issues relevant certificates as proof of such registration.
Civil registration promotes efficient government planning, effective use of resources and aid, and more accurate monitoring of progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
In his submissions, Bitok said the department will strive to operationalise 131 offices in constituencies which do not have civil registration offices.
“This will bring services closer to members of the public,” the PS added.
He noted that the department has established databases in all operational sub-counties, though some are manual.
“The department has therefore embarked on the process of digitising and automating its processes to ensure efficient storage, application and processing of certificates,” Bitok said.
He said the Civil Registration Department has implemented a web-based system to allow members of the public to be issued with a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) or Maisha Namba at birth.
“The system will subsequently allow members of the public to apply for certificates online, make payment through eCitizen and download their certificates. The UPI will also allow for integration of the civil registration database with other government databases to provide for efficient service delivery,” he added.
The PS, however, noted that the implementation of the system has been challenged in court.