Kenyan Government Raises Birth And Death Certificate Fees

   By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya 

The Kenyan government has announced an increase in fees for obtaining birth and death certificates, effective immediately.

This change was communicated on November 27, 2024, as part of broader reforms aimed at aligning service fees with economic conditions and enhancing the efficiency of civil registry operations.

Officials from the Ministry of Interior highlighted that the previous fees were no longer sufficient to cover administrative costs or sustain improvements in service delivery.

The revised charges also apply to Kenyans seeking these documents from abroad.

While the government defends the move as necessary for streamlining operations and reducing delays, the public response has been mixed.

Many citizens have raised concerns about affordability, particularly for vulnerable families. Advocacy groups have called for exemptions or subsidies to mitigate the impact on low-income households.

The new fees are part of a larger effort by the government to review charges for various public services, including passports and registry documents, as it seeks to boost revenue and improve infrastructure.