A total of 400 birth certificates are lying uncollected by their owners at the Turkana County Civil Registration Office.
Speaking during the launch of the instant printing and issuance of birth certificates at the County Huduma Center office in Lodwar, County Civil Registrar, Peter Chetambe, called on the owners of the documents to collect them.
“We are calling on those who have not collected their birth certificates to come for them because we do not want to have backlogs. Moving forward we shall be issuing the birth certificates instantly,” said Chetambe.
Residents have in the past been forced to trek for long distances in search of the birth certificates.
Speaking when he presided over the exercise, Turkana Central Deputy County Commissioner, David Juma, said the instant issuance of the certificates would help address corruption by eliminating middlemen who prey on innocent citizens on the pretext that they can help them acquire the crucial documents.
“I urge all officers to uphold integrity and ensure they deliver the services promptly,” said Juma.
Turkana County Huduma Centre Branch Manager, Henry Kaminda, lauded the Civil Registration Office for the noble initiative, saying it will help the centre to realize its objective of being a one-stop-shop where members of the public will access service instantly and efficiently.
“The move by the Civil Registration Office will help eliminate cartels and ensure members of the public get quality services in a timely manner,” said Kaminda.
He also appealed to the Deputy County Commissioner to continue supporting the centre to realize its mandate of expanding the services offered at the centre.
Kotela Primary School Head Teacher, Rangi Nyangares, hailed the initiative, saying it has made the process of acquiring birth certificates for pupils easy and save time and resources spent in acquiring the documents.
By Peter Gitonga
