The State Department of Immigration Services has issued a directive invalidating specific birth certificates due to a processing mishap. The notice, published on Tuesday, October 15, in the government’s MyGov publication, lists the affected certificates within the serial number ranges: 1502001-1502100, 1502101-1502200, 1502201-1502300, 1502301-1502400, 1502401-1502500, 1502501-1502600, 1502601-1502700, 1502701-1502800, and 1502801-1502900.
The department urges individuals holding these certificates to return them to the Civil Registration Services at Hass Plaza, Nairobi, for proper disposal. Paul Mwangemi, Acting Secretary of Civil Registration Services, emphasized the urgency, noting that holding onto the invalid certificates renders them unusable. This move follows last month’s revelation that nearly 400 title deeds were lost, compounding concerns over the handling of critical documents.
The government is treating these missing certificates similarly to the title deeds reported lost on September 27. In a gazette notice, the Office of the Head of Public Service acknowledged the loss of 366 title deeds (serial numbers 5253001 to 5253367) but distanced itself from any liability, declaring the documents null and void. Despite the seriousness of these incidents, no clear explanations have been provided, sparking concerns over transparency and the secure handling of sensitive documents.
This latest development also highlights the ongoing backlog of uncollected national identity cards and other essential documents. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi recently addressed the issue, noting that 180,000 identity cards, 47,000 driving licences, and 54,000 birth certificates remain uncollected at Huduma Centres across Kenya, despite public frustration over long delays.
