New Kuresoi Registration Office Brings Ease to Vital Records Services

The government has inaugurated a new Civil Registration Services (CRS) office in Kuresoi town. This new facility, the seventh of its kind in Nakuru, is expected to greatly improve access to birth and death certificates for local residents.

Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok announced the opening of the Kuresoi office as a strategic move to enhance the efficiency of vital records registration. With registration rates for births at 85% and deaths at a mere 54%, the new office aims to address these gaps by making the process more accessible and convenient.

The Kuresoi office will provide same-day service for birth and death certificates, a notable improvement over the previous system which required residents to travel long distances to offices in Molo, Nakuru, or even Bomet. This change is expected to alleviate the burden on families, particularly those living in remote areas.

“The introduction of this office means that you no longer need to limit the number of children you have due to the challenges of obtaining birth certificates,” Bitok said. “The new office will make it easier for you to access these essential documents without unnecessary travel.”

Registration fees have been structured to encourage timely applications. For births and deaths registered within six months of the event, the fee is Ksh 200. However, those who apply after this period will face an increased fee of Ksh 500. This pricing structure is designed to mitigate the financial burden on families and encourage prompt registration.

Bitok emphasized that the Kuresoi office is the 164th CRS office in Kenya, with plans to open an additional 100 offices to further decentralize and enhance access to registration services across the country. This expansion reflects the government’s commitment to improving administrative efficiency and service delivery.

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The importance of accurate birth registration cannot be overstated. It is not only crucial for accessing education and obtaining identification documents but also for determining citizenship. Accurate records support government planning, resource allocation, and policy-making. For instance, effective birth registration is essential for programs like Maisha Namba and Maisha Card, which provide citizens with a lifelong identification number and access to various government services.

Death registration is equally vital, as it aids in family and corporate succession planning and provides valuable demographic data. This data is critical for developing policies related to health, sanitation, and other public health interventions.

“A birth certificate is a fundamental identity document. Without it, children cannot access essential government services such as school enrollment,” Bitok highlighted. “Additionally, without proper registration, individuals are excluded from government programs and funding allocations.”

Despite the compulsory nature of birth and death registration in Kenya, the national averages are still low, with only 76% of births and 45% of deaths being registered. In some counties, these figures drop to as low as 30%. The government’s new initiatives, including the opening of more registration offices, aim to address these disparities and improve registration rates nationwide.

Kuresoi South MP Joseph Tonui welcomed the new registration office, noting that it will significantly benefit residents who previously faced difficulties in obtaining vital records. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Nakuru County Woman Representative Liz Chelule, Kuresoi North MP Alfred Mutai, and other local leaders, all of whom expressed support for the initiative.

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The new Kuresoi registration office stands as a testament to the government’s efforts to enhance public service accessibility and efficiency. By reducing travel burdens and financial barriers, it is poised to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Nakuru County residents, ensuring that vital records are within reach for all.