This archive report was first published on 27 October 2019.
On October 27, 2019, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i personally led a raid at the Department of Civil Registration, marking a significant crackdown on corruption in the sector.
The move comes as no surprise, given the long-standing issue of cartels thriving in the registration and issuance of birth certificates.
Once individuals obtain birth certificates, they gain access to vital personal information, making it easier for them to acquire national identity cards and passports.
This has raised concerns about the potential for foreigners to acquire these documents and use them to commit crimes, posing a threat to national security.
Dr. Matiang'i has taken a firm stance, removing two senior officials implicated in the shady issuance of birth certificates, a practice described as a multimillion-shilling graft industry.
While the removal of the officials is a step in the right direction, it is essential to identify and pursue those responsible, ensuring thorough investigations to rid the registration department of corruption.
Efforts to streamline the delivery of public services, including the registration and issuing of birth certificates, have been commendable.
However, it is the corrupt staff working in cahoots with cartels that needlessly frustrate individuals seeking these services.
CS Matiang'i has assured the public that the issuance of birth certificates will be streamlined and eased by next week, a move that will bring relief to many Kenyans who have been frustrated by the illicit operations of rent seekers.
