This archive report was first published on 29 October 2019.
On October 29, 2019, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i took a bold step to address the long-standing issue of cartels in the issuance of birth certificates. He ordered the deployment of National Youth Service (NYS) personnel and the installation of new machines at the Department of Civil Registration.
As a result, the workers at the births registry were forced to attend to those applying for birth certificates, leading to a significant reduction in waiting times. The counters were well-managed, and the brokers who had been hanging around the registry's offices at Bishops Gardens in Nairobi were nowhere to be found.
The reception area was also revamped, with seats provided for those waiting for service. This was a stark contrast to the past, when applicants were forced to stand in a crowded hall.
Dr. Matiang'i's efforts did not go unnoticed. He ordered the staff at the department to work over the weekend and organize their desks for better service delivery. The staff were also issued with name tags, a move aimed at keeping brokers away.
