Gov’t Explains Why Birth, Death Certificate Fees Was Increased
Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has defended the government’s decision to increase costs for birth and death certificate applications.
Bitok, who appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Delegated Legislation on Thursday, December 4, said that the decision was made owing to inflation.
The PS informed the committee that this was the first time the government had increased the fees since 1998 when the administration enacted legislation imposing the levies.
According to Bitok, the cost of processing the documents influenced the decision, and the government spent a lot of money to acquire the materials needed to print birth and death certificates.
Immigration PS Julius Bitok now says birth and death certificate registration fees have been increased from Sh50 to Sh200 due to inflation. pic.twitter.com/p9WLesQMpT
— Moe (@moneyacademyKE) December 4, 2024
“These fees are being revised 36 years down the line, from 1998 up to now, and inflation is currently more than ten times. We proposed to increase it to 200 because of the inflation and cost of material,” Bitok said.
Bitok was forced to clarify the fee increase after a parliamentary committee expressed concern about the excessive cost placed on Kenyans seeking to obtain crucial documents.
On November 27, this year, the government announced additional costs for Kenyans who request Immigration Department services such as Identity Cards, birth and death certificates.
The notification went on to impose multiple fines for late applications for birth and death certificates; according to the gazette notice, Kenyans could pay up to Ksh500 as a penalty.
Furthermore, the government said that Kenyans who lose their birth or death certificates would be penalized Ksh910, up from the initial Ksh90.
ALSO READ:
- Golf Legend Tiger Woods Arrested After A Florida Crash
- Gov’t Deploys KDF To Mukogodo Forest To Curb Banditry
- Murkomen Goes After Eldoret City Goons, Orders MASSIVE Crackdown
- IEBC Announces 30-Day Voter Registration Drive Beginning March 30
- Ruto Announces New Passport Processing Time
For Kenyans living in the diaspora, the government imposed Ksh19,000 fees for obtaining the two passports.
Furthermore, Kenyans wishing to correct inaccuracies in printed documents will pay Ksh1000, up from Ksh30.
In November 2023, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced a hike in ID and passport prices.
However, Kindiki’s declaration was met with strong outrage, prompting the government to withdraw the accusations.
Gov’t Explains Why Birth, Death Certificate Fees Was Increased
