NAIROBI, Kenya – The State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services has defended its decision to increase the fees for birth and death certificates from Sh50 to Sh200, citing inflation and the rising cost of materials.
Principal Secretary Julius Bitok revealed the reasoning behind the fee revision, which came into effect in March following a public participation process and official gazettement.
Speaking at a monthly meeting of Principal Secretaries held at the Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday, Bitok explained that the fees had not been reviewed in 36 years, making the increase necessary to align with current economic realities.
“The last time this fee was reviewed was 36 years ago. The increase to Sh200 was proposed to cater for inflation, the cost of materials, and other changes over time,” Bitok stated. “This rate applies uniformly to all Kenyans seeking birth and death certificates.”
The revision is part of broader changes introduced by the Ministry of Interior through Gazette Notice No. 24 on November 14, 2023.
Other significant adjustments include: late registration for birth and death certificates, up from Sh150 to Sh500, re-registration of birth certificates, increased from Sh90 to Sh1,000, amendments to birth and death certificates, now Sh1,000 from Sh130, issuance of certificates for presumed death, hiked from Sh150 to Sh1,500 and charges for services in Kenyan foreign missions were also significantly raised, with birth and death registrations now costing $150 (Sh21,675), up from $50 (Sh7,225).
In addition to adjustments to existing fees, the government has introduced new charges for specific services: verification of certificates for government agencies: Sh500, access to vital statistical reports for private agencies: Sh2,000, and Sh1,000 for government entities, verification for private foreign agencies: $100 (Sh14,450), and verification for private Kenyan agencies: $1,000 (Sh144,500).
According to a February 29, 2024, memo from the Ministry of Interior, the fee revisions followed a public participation process conducted from November 14 to December 5, 2023.
The increase in fees has sparked conversations among Kenyans, with some expressing concerns about affordability, particularly for low-income families.
However, the government maintains that the new rates are necessary to ensure the sustainability of its services.
Principal Secretary Julius Bitok revealed the reasoning behind the fee revision, which came into effect in March following a public participation process and official gazettement.
Speaking at a monthly meeting of Principal Secretaries held at the Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday, Bitok explained that the fees had not been reviewed in 36 years, making the increase necessary to align with current economic realities.
“The last time this fee was reviewed was 36 years ago. The increase to Sh200 was proposed to cater for inflation, the cost of materials, and other changes over time,” Bitok stated. “This rate applies uniformly to all Kenyans seeking birth and death certificates.”
The revision is part of broader changes introduced by the Ministry of Interior through Gazette Notice No. 24 on November 14, 2023.
Other significant adjustments include: late registration for birth and death certificates, up from Sh150 to Sh500, re-registration of birth certificates, increased from Sh90 to Sh1,000, amendments to birth and death certificates, now Sh1,000 from Sh130, issuance of certificates for presumed death, hiked from Sh150 to Sh1,500 and charges for services in Kenyan foreign missions were also significantly raised, with birth and death registrations now costing $150 (Sh21,675), up from $50 (Sh7,225).
In addition to adjustments to existing fees, the government has introduced new charges for specific services: verification of certificates for government agencies: Sh500, access to vital statistical reports for private agencies: Sh2,000, and Sh1,000 for government entities, verification for private foreign agencies: $100 (Sh14,450), and verification for private Kenyan agencies: $1,000 (Sh144,500).
According to a February 29, 2024, memo from the Ministry of Interior, the fee revisions followed a public participation process conducted from November 14 to December 5, 2023.
The increase in fees has sparked conversations among Kenyans, with some expressing concerns about affordability, particularly for low-income families.
However, the government maintains that the new rates are necessary to ensure the sustainability of its services.
