The government has announced immediate changes to how Kenyans obtain birth certificates, allowing citizens to download and print the documents online.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the update on Monday, June 22, saying Kenyans can now download the certificate online and print it without having to visit Huduma centres or other civil registry officers.
The announcement followed a high-level consultative meeting at Nyayo House in Nairobi, where officials from the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services and senior government representatives reviewed progress on service-delivery reforms.
Murkomen said the new system forms part of wider efforts to streamline access to civil registration documents and cut the time, costs, and bureaucracy that have traditionally come with obtaining them.
“In response to issues raised during the Jukwaa la Usalama engagements, Kenyans can now download and print birth certificates online, a significant step towards improving accessibility and reducing the time required to obtain essential documents,” the Interior CS said.
Previously, many Kenyans seeking birth certificates had to visit Huduma Centres, civil registration offices, or county registries to submit applications, make payments, or collect the documents.
The process often required long-distance travel and long waits, especially in major urban centres. In recent years, the Civil Registration Services Department has digitised several services through the eCitizen platform, enabling citizens to submit applications and pay online. Still, many applicants had to appear in person at various stages, including when collecting documents.
In a related development, Murkomen said the government aims to expand eCitizen into a unified digital gateway for public services, cutting back on manual processes across departments.
He also pointed to plans to decentralise key services further, including expanding passport application and collection centres to additional counties, with Kilifi expected to be among the next to benefit.
“The Department has recorded notable achievements in enhancing service delivery. Among the key milestones is the continued decentralisation of passport issuance services, with plans underway to expand physical passport application and collection centres to Kilifi County, in addition to the counties already served,” he added.
Murkomen further said the department is strengthening consular services to better support Kenyans living and working abroad.
He noted that additional reforms will focus on improving digital service delivery through eCitizen, simplifying access to government services, and boosting efficiency across public institutions.
“As we begin the new financial year, we remain committed to supporting reforms and innovations that enhance service delivery, improve citizen experience, and ensure government services are accessible, efficient and responsive to the needs of all Kenyans,” Murkomen said.
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