NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has raised concerns over persistent delays in civil registration services and a reported shortage of marriage certificates, warning that the situation is already affecting families and the integrity of legal unions across the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, April 16, the bishops said administrative bottlenecks in notification, certification, and clearance processes have become excessively slow, at times disregarding couples who have already scheduled wedding ceremonies.
“For some time now, we have been experiencing difficulties in the legal process of civil registration and legalisation of marriage. The processes of notification and obtaining certificates have become unnecessarily arduous. The clearance process is slow and at times insensitive to the time and dates set,” the bishops stated in a statement.
They further warned that the shortage of marriage certificates could expose spouses, particularly those in vulnerable positions, to legal and social risks in the event of disputes or separation.
“Moreover, we are now experiencing a shortage of marriage certificates. This is bound to cause a moral dent to society and risks depriving the weaker spouses of their legal rights,” the statement added.
The bishops urged the government to strengthen and safeguard the institution of marriage, citing Article 45 of the Constitution, which recognises the family as the fundamental unit of society.
“We as a country must protect and promote the institution of marriage as provided in the Constitution of Kenya. When our families and the institution of marriage are strong, our society thrives,” they said.
The remarks come amid wider public frustration over delays in obtaining essential government documents, including birth certificates, national identity cards, and passports.
Over the past few years, the government has rolled out digitised public services through the eCitizen portal, which integrates more than 22,000 services, in an effort to streamline access and reduce bureaucratic delays.
Also Read: The death of marriage: Why love no longer needs a ring to feel real
Authorities have also introduced service timelines, including a 72-hour turnaround target for some identity and passport applications. However, civil registration systems continue to face operational challenges, including backlogs, staffing constraints, and occasional shortages of critical documentation materials.
Legal experts note that delays in marriage registration can create complications in matters of inheritance, property rights, and spousal protection, particularly where documentation is required to establish legal standing in disputes.
The bishops’ warning highlights growing concern among faith-based institutions about the reliability of administrative systems that underpin family law and civil status recognition in Kenya.
They have called for urgent reforms to ensure efficiency, reliability, and respect for time-sensitive life events such as weddings.
