Kenyans To Pay More As Government Increases Fees For Birth And Death Certificates

Kenyans to Pay Higher Fees for Birth and Death Certificates Under New Government Charges

Kenyans will now have to dig deeper into their pockets to acquire birth and death certificates following the implementation of new fees by the State Department of Immigration and Citizen Services.

The revised charges, gazetted by then Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki before assuming the role of Deputy President, have significantly increased the cost of these essential documents.

Birth and Death Registration Fees: The cost has risen from Ksh.50 to Ksh.200.
Late Registrations: Now priced at Ksh.500, up from Ksh.150.
Replacement for Lost Documents: Increased to Ksh.1,000 from the previous Ksh.90.
Document Amendments (e.g., typos): Now cost Ksh.1,000, compared to the earlier Ksh.130.

For Kenyans abroad, registering births at Kenyan missions will cost USD 150 (approximately Ksh.19,000).

Additional changes include:

Authentication of the Principal Registrar’s Seal: Ksh.500 locally and USD 100 (Ksh.12,950) in foreign missions.
Registration of Births or Deaths of Citizens Abroad: Ksh.1,000.
Registration of Presumed Deaths: Increased to Ksh.1,500 from Ksh.150.

These revisions align with the government’s strategy to boost revenue, coming on the heels of increased passport fees for foreign travel.

Kenyans have expressed mixed reactions, with many voicing concerns about the affordability of these essential services amidst rising living costs.