NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenyan government has announced a major reform in civil registration services, allowing citizens to download and print birth certificates online, in a move aimed at eliminating long queues and reducing reliance on physical visits to government offices.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the development on Monday, June 22, saying the new system will enable Kenyans to access the critical document through digital platforms, including the eCitizen portal.
The announcement follows a high-level consultative meeting held at Nyayo House, Nairobi, involving the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services and senior officials reviewing ongoing service delivery reforms.
Major shift in civil registration services
Murkomen said the reform is part of a broader government strategy to modernise public service delivery and reduce delays, costs and bureaucracy associated with document processing.
“Kenyans can now download and print birth certificates online, a significant step towards improving accessibility and reducing the time required to obtain essential documents,” Murkomen said.
Previously, while birth certificate applications could be initiated online through the eCitizen platform, applicants were still required to physically collect the documents from civil registry offices or Huduma Centres.
Under the new system, citizens will now be able to complete the process digitally and print the document once approved.
Part of wider eCitizen expansion
The government says the change is part of efforts to transform eCitizen into a unified digital gateway for all public services, reducing dependence on manual paperwork across departments.
Murkomen also highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at decentralising services, including plans to expand passport application and collection centres to additional counties, with Kilifi County expected to be among the next beneficiaries.
“Among the key milestones is the continued decentralisation of passport issuance services, with plans underway to expand physical passport application and collection centres,” he added.
Also Read: Huduma Kenya clarifies how Kenyans will be notified on IDs, licences and birth certificates
While the Cabinet Secretary did not provide detailed technical steps on the rollout, the announcement indicates that eligible applicants will be able to access approved birth certificates through their eCitizen accounts and print them directly.
The reform is expected to significantly reduce congestion at civil registry offices and Huduma Centres, which have historically handled high volumes of applicants.
Government push for digital transformation
The move forms part of Kenya’s broader public service modernisation agenda, which seeks to digitise government operations, reduce paperwork and improve efficiency in service delivery.
Authorities say the reforms are designed to ensure faster access to essential documents such as birth certificates, passports and other civil registration records.
Currently, citizens apply for birth certificates through the eCitizen platform by selecting the relevant service, uploading required documents and paying processing fees via mobile money. Applicants then typically receive notification for processing and collection.
With the new system, the final collection step is expected to be fully digitised, allowing users to print the certificate directly after approval.
