PS Bitok: Civil registration to ease access to critical documents

Immigration and Citizen Services PS Julius Bitok. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

The government is targeting at least 170 constituencies in a new initiative aimed at enhancing the gathering of timely civil registration data and easing access to critical documents.

The plan, as outlined by Immigration and Citizen Services PS Julius Bitok, is to establish birth and death registration offices in every constituency.

"We plan to ensure we have offices in all the 290 constituencies in the country. Currently, we are at 170, but we want to roll it around the country because the Kenya Kwanza government is focused on having these services at the grassroots," said Bitok.

The PS was speaking while on a tour of Moiben in Uasin Gishu on Friday, May 17.

Bitok said the new stations will also host the National Registration Bureau and Immigration officers to support applicants seeking Identity Cards, passports, and other registration services.

The Moiben office, for instance, will target a catchment of around 200,000 and offer respite to area residents who have been travelling to Eldoret town for similar services.

Moiben MP Phylis Bartoo said, "Our constituency is rural and moving from here to Eldoret town to search for these services has been difficult."

" Now, we have brought it closer to the people, and it will serve Moiben and neighbouring constituencies like Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Soy and Ainabkoi," she added.

PS Bitok revealed that the chiefs and their assistants will be tasked with mobilizing eligible Kenyans to register for birth certificates and the new digital ID card.

"We will rely on chiefs and assistant chiefs to mobilize people who are not registered as we are currently at 86 per cent countrywide. They should register because children cannot attend school without a birth certificate," Bitok added.