Government of Kenya is considering scrapping application fees for birth certificates in a move aimed at increasing civil registration across the country.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen made the announcement on January 28 while commissioning the Assistant County Commissioner’s office in Inoi Division, Kirinyaga County, saying the proposal is part of broader reforms to improve access to essential documentation.
Murkomen said the final decision on the proposed fee waiver will be made by President William Ruto after consultations with key stakeholders. He noted that the move mirrors the earlier waiver of national identity card registration fees, which led to a significant rise in the number of Kenyans applying for IDs.
“When we removed the fees for national ID registration, the uptake increased dramatically. We expect a similar outcome if birth certificate fees are waived,” Murkomen said.
Currently, Kenyans pay Ksh200 to apply for a birth certificate, while late registration costs Ksh500 and re-registration Ksh1,000. According to the Interior CS, these costs, coupled with long distances to registration offices, have locked out many citizens particularly those in rural and underserved areas.
“High costs and long distances to registration offices have denied many Kenyans the opportunity to register vital events,” he said.
To address the accessibility challenge, Murkomen revealed that the government has approved the decentralisation of civil registration services. Under the new arrangement, citizens will be able to apply for birth and death certificates at constituency-level ID centres, bringing services closer to communities and reducing transport costs and delays.
The proposed policy change is seen as a strategic step towards ensuring universal access to civil documentation. Birth certificates are a prerequisite for accessing education, healthcare, employment, and other government services. Without them, many children and adults remain excluded from opportunities and social protection systems.
The announcement has sparked wide discussion on social media and online platforms, with many Kenyans expressing support for the initiative. Supporters argue that scrapping the fees would ease the financial burden on families, especially those with multiple children, and encourage timely registration. Others have pointed out that eliminating fees could also improve efficiency by streamlining the application process and reducing administrative bottlenecks.
If approved, the reforms are expected to significantly improve birth registration rates and strengthen the country’s civil registration and vital statistics system. Beyond individual benefits, the government says accurate civil registration data is crucial for national planning, service delivery, and policy formulation.
As consultations continue, all eyes are now on President Ruto, whose decision will determine whether the proposed fee waiver becomes a reality for millions of Kenyans.
