The government has moved with speed to streamline issuance of birth certificates in Mombasa in the wake of a massive rush for the vital document in the coastal city.
Mombasa County Commissioner Evans Achoki on Monday presided over the launch of the 30-day programme dubbed Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), aimed at issuing thousands of birth certificates for free to area residents.
Achoki noted that for the last three months the region has been struggling to clear a backlog of 5,000 birth certificates occasioned by logistical problems but said with the launch of the initiative, Kenyans will be able to access services without obstacles.
“Previously there was a problem of logistics but we expect to address this under the programme of RRI to issue the certificates in 30 days. We had distribution problems but this has been streamlined,” said Achoki.
Achoki said the exercise which will run until August 1, 2019, is part of the government’s efforts to streamline the provision of various services, including civil registration to citizens.
At least 20 more clerks have been deployed at different registration centres while 10 deployed at the office of registrar of persons at Bima Tower to speed up the exercise.
“These will help residents to access vital services and also students who have not been registered on the National Education Management Information System (Nemis) platform because of lack of birth certificates,’’ said the Administrator.
To complement the RRI, Achoki directed all national government administration officials to spearhead sensitisation campaigns to ensure the success of the programme.
By Mohamed Hassan
