William Ruto has signed into law three key Bills aimed at improving civil registration services, streamlining agricultural regulation and strengthening professional standards for social workers.
The laws were assented to at State House, Nairobi, and are expected to make essential services more accessible, eliminate regulatory overlaps and introduce clear standards for social work practice.
One of the new laws is the Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Act, 2024, sponsored by Martha Wangari. The law requires the establishment of at least one births and deaths registration office in every sub-county and proposes additional offices across all 290 constituencies.
Kenya currently has 143 registration centres, a shortage that has forced many citizens to travel long distances to obtain birth and death certificates. The expansion aims to bring services closer to residents, especially those in rural and marginalised areas.
The amendment is anchored in Article 6(3) of the Constitution, which guarantees access to registration and citizenship documents. Increasing the number of offices is expected to reduce travel costs, waiting times and opportunities for corruption.
Wangari noted that long travel distances have encouraged bribery, with some officials demanding money to speed up issuance of certificates.
She said the plan will not heavily burden public finances, explaining that each office will require only a registrar, deputy registrar and clerk. The MP estimated that Sh219 million will be needed in the first year to operationalise the offices, adding that assistant commissioners will host the new facilities.
She cited Nakuru County, which has four registration centres serving over two million residents, while Busia County has only three stations in Funyula, Teso and Busia town.
Beyond convenience, the additional offices are expected to improve national data systems by ensuring more complete birth and death records, which will support planning, policymaking and fair resource allocation.
The President also approved the Pyrethrum Repeal Act, 2024, introduced by Kimani Ichung’wah. The law seeks to eliminate duplication and gaps in regulating the pyrethrum industry, creating a more efficient oversight framework to boost production.
In addition, the Social Work Professionals Act, 2023, sponsored by Joshua Kimilu, establishes the Institute of Social Work Professionals and the Social Work Professionals Board. These bodies will oversee training, registration and professional conduct, helping to maintain standards across the sector.
State House said the new laws will strengthen service delivery and support national development.
“With the assent of these Bills, the three Acts now form part of our laws and statutes, advancing our national development,” the statement said.
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