Kenyans seeking birth certificates will no longer have to make trips to civil registration offices or Huduma Centres to collect the documents after the government introduced a new online system that allows users to download and print them from anywhere.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced the changes on Monday following a meeting at Nyayo House that brought together officials from the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services and other government agencies to review ongoing reforms in public service delivery.
The new arrangement marks a significant shift in how birth certificates are accessed in Kenya. Previously, applicants could submit requests through the eCitizen platform but were still required to visit civil registration offices to collect the final document.
Under the new system, successful applicants will be able to obtain the certificate online and print it without having to physically visit government offices.
“Kenyans can now download and print birth certificates online, a significant step towards improving accessibility and reducing the time required to obtain essential documents,” Murkomen said.
For many parents and guardians, obtaining a birth certificate has often involved long queues and multiple visits to government offices, especially in areas located far from civil registration centres.
The latest move is expected to ease that burden by allowing applicants to access the document from the comfort of their homes, provided the application process has been completed successfully.
Murkomen said the reforms are part of a broader government plan to digitise public services and make them easier to access through the eCitizen platform.
He noted that the government is working towards turning eCitizen into a single digital gateway through which Kenyans can access a wide range of services without having to move from one office to another.
At the same time, the Interior CS revealed that plans are underway to expand passport services to more parts of the country as the government seeks to bring key services closer to citizens.
Kilifi is one of the counties that stands to benefit greatly as the ministry intends to set up a passport application and pick-up point there.
These reforms have been made as part of the continued drive by the government towards improving its public service provision by simplifying document issuance processes and minimizing time taken by citizens to obtain important documentation.
The move will definitely be seen as good news to many Kenyans who depend on birth certificates for various purposes.