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{
"id": 885057,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/885057/?format=api",
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"speaker_name": "Sen. Khaniri",
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"speaker": {
"id": 171,
"legal_name": "George Munyasa Khaniri",
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"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Senator for Bungoma jumped the gun. We had a discussion with him about this Statement; so, he is anxious to go. Mr. Speaker, Sir, pursuant to Standing Order 47(1), I rise to make a Statement on an issue of national concern on the issuance of birth certificates in the country, most specifically in Vihiga County. Mr. Speaker, Sir, a birth certificate is one of the most crucial documents in Kenya, and is a basic requirement for application of other official documents such as the national identification card (ID) and passport. Recently, the Government made it mandatory for children joining pre-school, primary and secondary schools to have birth certificates. Additionally, all candidates for primary and secondary schools national examinations are also required to use their birth certificates during registration of these examinations. Sadly enough, Mr. Speaker, Sir, acquiring a birth certificate has become a nightmare, most particularly for residents in Vihiga County. Figures from the County Civil Registrar paint a very depressing picture, where there are more than 18,720 pending applications dating back to February, 2018. As if this is not enough, parents and guardians are forced to travel several times from all corners of the county to Mbale Town to apply and check on the status of their applications. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it defeats logic for the Government to require its citizens to have this legal document, which it is not providing, yet it is the sole provider. It is frustrating for Kenyans because the issuing of citizens – be it birth certificates, IDs and passports – have become a total nightmare for Kenyans yet these registration documents are inalienable human rights for citizens. Further to this, Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Government of Kenya charges parents of newborns Kshs150 to acquire this document. This weekend, I was informed that people pay up to Kshs500 to be issued with birth certificates. We strongly urge the Government to consider scrapping this fee in totality, because when a person attains the age of 18 years, he or she is issued with an ID card for free. Thus, the Government should issue birth certificates on the same basis. A birth certificate is a basic right for all children who are born here. Therefore, no one should be made to pay for this very vital document. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}