CS Matiang’i Moves To Clean Mess At Birth Registration Offices

Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i is in a mission to clean up the department of Civil Registration.

Dr. Matiang’i made visits to the Civil Registry offices at Bishops House to push for changes in the department that has had a bad reputation of bribery and existence of cartels in the issuance of birth certificates.

The CS, known for making impromptu visits started his visits to the department on Thursday,24th October and made two subsequent visits on Friday 25th and Monday, 28th.

Dr. Matiang’i’s visit on Monday morning was followed by a separate visit of his Principal Secretary, Karanja Kibicho an hour after he (CS Matiang’i) had left.

The visits by the team from the ministry of Interior ensured that everyone who needed registration services at Bishops House offices received services as the CS had ordered for deployment of National Youth Service (NYS) personnel at the registry premises.

While he made an impromptu visit on Monday afternoon, Dr. Matiang’I told citizens that he would ensure they get served well as it is their right.

“It has come to my attention that workers here intentionally delay the process of issuance of birth certificates so that they push poor Kenyans to give out bribes for the services, and that must stop,” said Dr. Matiang’i.

“I am so sorry about what you have been going through in these offices. These are your offices and we shall deploy more sophisticated machines to ensure you get faster and quality services,” he added.

The civil registration offices looked organized during Dr. Matiang’i’s visits, with staff having name tags and working at all counters.

The reception was filled with seats for those waiting for services to sit on, unlike the usual queues commonly seen at the hall, where people stand for hours before being served.

Outside the offices, there were no brokers who reportedly issue fake birth certificates to unsuspecting Kenyans.
CS Matiang’i ensured that all departments of civil registration workers have name tags as a way to do away with brokers.

The CS demanded that he wanted sanity brought back to the department and that Kenyans be served promptly and be able to get their documents within one week after receiving collection SMS.

To address the issuing of fake birth certificates, the department has been working in both public and private hospitals to process certificates for newborns within two weeks, curbing inefficiency, corruption and service delivery