Hundreds of pupils across Kiambu Town Constituency are set to benefit from a week-long birth certificate registration exercise aimed at ensuring every learner has access to government education services and legal identity.
The initiative, spearheaded by Kiambu Town Member of Parliament Machua Waithaka’s office in collaboration with the Office of the Registrar of Persons, Kiambu Sub-County, began at Ting’ang’a Model Primary School and Riabai Primary School, where registration officers processed applications for pupils who had not previously obtained birth certificates.
The exercise comes as both host schools undergo comprehensive classroom renovations, with education stakeholders describing the programme as part of broader efforts to improve learning conditions and enhance access to education.
At Ting’ang’a Model Primary School, the registration exercise served pupils and parents from Ting’ang’a Model Primary School, HGM Ting’ang’a Primary School and Benson Njau Primary School.
Meanwhile, Riabai Primary School hosted learners and parents from Riabai Primary School, Gichocho Primary School, Chief Wandie Primary School and Machiri Primary School.
Officials said the exercise seeks to address one of the major barriers affecting school-going children, noting that a birth certificate is a fundamental legal document that formally recognizes a child as a citizen and enables access to essential government services.
The document is also a mandatory requirement for school registration and inclusion in the government’s capitation programme, through which public schools receive funding based on enrolled learners. Children without birth certificates risk delays in school registration and may miss out on education-related government support.
Speaking during the exercise, officials emphasized that every child deserves an equal opportunity to access education regardless of their background, adding that birth registration is a critical step in safeguarding children’s rights and securing their future.
The registration campaign is expected to continue throughout the week and will cover all 21 public primary schools in Kiambu Town Constituency. The objective is to ensure that every learner without a birth certificate is registered and issued with the vital document.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the initiative, saying it will not only strengthen learners’ access to government programmes but also improve the accuracy of school records and support national efforts to achieve universal birth registration.
The exercise forms part of ongoing interventions by the constituency leadership to improve access to education and public services while eliminating administrative barriers that hinder children’s academic progress.
