Online Reporter
Talent Gore
Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT is working on resolving the nationwide shortage of birth certificate printing paper, with suppliers now working around the clock to ensure operations return to normal.
The Civil Registry Department confirmed that the shortage, attributing it to delays in the release of funds that affected payments to suppliers.
Registrar-General Henry Machiri said the problem began in a few districts before spreading across the country.
“It is correct that the department is facing a shortage of birth certificate paper, and registration has been affected and this is a nationwide shortage caused by a lack of funds to pay suppliers,” he said.
Machiri said the Government had since intervened, with the Ministry of Finance releasing funds to address the situation.
“The Ministry of Finance has released some funds, and suppliers are now working 24 hours a day to ensure we return to normal operations as soon as possible,” he said.
He added that the department is prioritising citizens’ access to identity documents, describing birth registration as a fundamental right.
“It is a human right for one to have a birth certificate and national identity card and we must ensure that right is not infringed,” he said.
He added that the current disruption is temporary and normal service delivery is expected to resume once new supplies are delivered.
The Civil Registry Department also plans to expand sub-offices nationwide under the National Development Strategy 2 to improve access to services.
