A new Bill has been introduced in the Kenyan Parliament aiming to improve access to birth and death registration services across the country. The Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024, sponsored by Gilgil Member of Parliament (MP), Hon. Martha Wangari, recently underwent its first reading in the National Assembly. The proposed law seeks to address the longstanding challenge many Kenyans face in obtaining critical documents such as birth and death certificates, particularly those living in rural and marginalized areas.
Currently, Kenya has only 143 birth and death registration offices to serve its large population. This limited infrastructure makes it extremely difficult for citizens, especially those in remote regions, to access essential services. The Bill, if passed, mandates the establishment of at least one registration office in every constituency, which would bring the services closer to the people.
Why Birth and Death Certificates Matter
Birth and death certificates are essential documents required for various services and legal processes. A birth certificate is needed to enroll children in schools, access healthcare, and apply for government identification documents such as the National ID or passport. Similarly, a death certificate is crucial for inheritance matters, settling debts, and claiming life insurance, among other needs. In many cases, the lack of these certificates can significantly hinder people’s ability to access education, employment, social services, and healthcare.
The challenges around obtaining these documents are felt more acutely by Kenyans in rural and marginalized communities. For individuals living in such areas, the process of obtaining birth or death certificates can involve traveling long distances to urban centers where the registration offices are located. This is often both time-consuming and costly, especially for those from lower-income backgrounds.
Constitutional Mandate
Hon. Martha Wangari’s proposed amendment aligns with the spirit of Article 6(3) of the Kenyan Constitution, which guarantees the right of every Kenyan citizen to be registered. The Constitution mandates that the government ensures all citizens have access to registration services, a right the current system struggles to uphold effectively.
By increasing the number of registration offices, the Bill seeks to provide more Kenyans with the ability to exercise their constitutional rights. The amendment will allow citizens to more easily access essential services that rely on proof of identity, such as education, healthcare, employment, and social benefits.
Impact on Rural and Marginalized Communities
One of the Bill’s most significant advantages is the potential it has to benefit rural and marginalized communities. These communities are often underserved by the existing infrastructure, resulting in delays and challenges in accessing registration services. By placing at least one office in each of Kenya’s 290 constituencies, the government can drastically reduce the time and effort needed for individuals to register births and deaths.
This decentralization of services will not only save citizens from having to travel long distances but also reduce the financial burden many face when trying to access registration services. Additionally, the Bill promises to provide relief to urban registration offices, which are often overwhelmed by people from neighboring regions coming in for services.
Better Data for Development
Aside from improving access, the amendment is expected to improve the accuracy and completeness of Kenya’s birth and death records. Accurate records are essential for government planning and development. By increasing the number of registration offices, it will become easier for the government to collect reliable data on the country’s population dynamics. This data will prove crucial in policy-making, enabling the government to allocate resources more effectively in areas such as healthcare, education, and social services.
Inaccurate or incomplete records can result in inefficiencies in how resources are distributed and services are provided. For example, a government may underestimate the demand for schools or healthcare services in certain regions if birth and death records are not well maintained. By streamlining the registration process, the government can enhance data collection, which will ultimately contribute to more informed policy decisions and better outcomes for Kenyan citizens.
Conclusion
The Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024 represents a crucial step toward addressing the challenges many Kenyans face in obtaining essential civil registration documents. If passed, it will not only bring the government closer to the people but also ensure that more citizens can exercise their constitutional rights. Furthermore, by improving the accuracy of vital records, the Bill will play an important role in supporting the country’s broader development goals.
For rural and marginalized communities, this Bill is particularly transformative, as it promises to reduce the barriers to accessing critical services like education, healthcare, and employment.
