The government is considering scrapping application fees for birth certificates in a bid to increase civil registration across the country, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said.

Speaking on January 28 during the commissioning of the Assistant County Commissioner’s office in Inoi Division, Kirinyaga County, Murkomen said President William Ruto will make the final decision after consultations with key stakeholders. He noted that the move mirrors the earlier waiver of national ID registration fees, which significantly increased uptake.

Murkomen said high costs and long distances to registration offices have locked out many Kenyans, especially in rural areas. To address this, the government has approved the decentralisation of civil registration services to constituency ID centres, allowing citizens to apply for birth and death certificates closer to home.

Currently, a birth certificate costs Ksh200, with late registration attracting Ksh500 and re-registration Ksh1,000. The proposed changes aim to ease access to vital documents needed for education, healthcare, and government services.