Government Justifies Fee Hike on Birth and Death Certificates
Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has defended the national government’s decision to increase the fees for the application and replacement of birth and death certificates. The decision, which was presented to the parliamentary committee on Delegated Legislation on Thursday, December 4, comes amid growing concerns about the rising costs.
Bitok explained that the government had to revise the fees due to the current inflationary pressures on Kenya’s economy. He noted that this was the first time the government had increased the fees since 1998, when an act was formulated to improve the levies. The last revision, he emphasized, was long overdue.
The PS further stated that the high cost of processing birth and death certificates had placed a significant financial burden on the government. As a result, the decision was made to adjust the fees in order to offset the rising costs associated with the production of these essential documents.
The fee hike has sparked concerns among some members of the parliamentary committee, who questioned the timing and impact of the increase on ordinary citizens. However, Bitok reassured them that the changes were necessary to sustain the process and improve efficiency.
The government’s decision aims to address the increasing financial demands of processing these vital records while also aligning the charges with current economic realities.
By Mercy Jeptoo
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