By Collins Wanzallah
Matungulu West MCA in Machakos County, Raphael Lucky Nzau, has called on the government to lower charges for the registration of persons after having been raised recently. The MCA made the call at Kisukioni market in his ward on Wednesday last week during a registration exercise for birth certificates and identity cards.
He said many people were economically depressed and asked the government to reconsider reverting to earlier charges. “It’s too costly for some people to afford the payment, and the government should consider reviewing the charges of civil registration, which have gone up,” he said. The MCA said that for the registration of birth, the charges had gone up from Ksh. 150 to 500. For new ID cards, charges are Ksh 300; it was previously free.
“Previously one had to pay Ksh 100 to replace a lost identity card, but now one has to pay Ksh 1 000 to one, “added Nzau. Similar exercises were held in Nguluni Market and Mutalia Dispensary.
On the impending teacher’s strike scheduled to begin on Monday, August 26 when schools reopen for the third term over salaries arrears, Nzau urged teachers to refrain from the strike and settle for the matter through dialogue with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) through their two unions, KUPPET and KNUT.
He added that if the strike takes place, the people who will suffer most are children. At the same time, he urged the government to seriously listen and address the teacher’s demands. “As much as we are calling for dialogue between teachers through KUPPET and KNUT and the government through TSC, the government must also fulfil the promises it entered with teachers however long it takes, emphasised Nzau.
Below is the requirement for the birth certificate application.
1. Original copy of birth notification
2. A copy of the parents` national identity card
3. Clinical card/baptism card/dedication card/clinic booklet/head teacher letter indicating date of birth as per admission register.
4. Well filled out birth certificate application forms
5. Birth certificate payment fees of Sh500.
Requirement for ID application
1. A copy of the birth certificate
2. A copy of parents’ national identity cards.
3. KCSE leaving certificate
4. Payment fees of Sh300 for new registration.
5. Lost ID replacement to cost Sh1 000 (police abstract and ID number).
