This archive report was first published on 4 November 2019.
On November 4, 2019, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i announced a significant development in the fight against corruption at the Civil Registration Bureau in Kenya.
As of now, Huduma Centre branches in Nairobi can print birth certificates, a move that is expected to reduce queues and waiting time for citizens.
According to CS Matiang'i, this expanded service is a clear departure from the norm at the civil registration offices based in Bishop house.
He further stated that the service will be followed by a fully digital and revitalized system, set to be ready in three months.
At the same time, 20 civil registration officials and four officials at a Nairobi health facility have been arrested in a move to dismantle cartels soliciting unauthorized fees from applicants before issuing crucial documents.
CS Matiang'i also revealed that the Bishop House branch has undergone a total makeover, with clear signage, dignified customer service, and seating spaces for clients.
"We have implemented a total overhaul of the system, which includes people, processes, procedures, hardware, and software to improve accountability and efficiency of service. We have since seen a 300 per cent rise in the speed of processing both birth and death certificates," he said in a statement.
He emphasized that it is indeed embarrassing to discover that a large number of Kenyans have had to encounter indignity in the hands of selfish dishonest public servants before receiving their birth or death certificates.
