Kenya's birth registrations attain 70 per cent mark, statistics show

Kenya has attained a 70 per cent registration of births and 45 per cent deaths, the 2024 Kenya Civil Registration & Vital Statistics (KVSR) report indicates.

This still falls below the international standards of 100 per cent for births and 80 per cent for deaths, according to Immigration Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang.

“While we still face challenges in meeting these thresholds, the progress made is commendable. Current coverage stands at 70.03 per cent for births and 44.8 per cent for deaths, reflecting the dedication and effort of the Civil Registration Services and its partners,” Kipsang said.

In a speech read on his behalf by Secretary Administration Serser Chelule, the PS said accurate and timely vital statistics strengthen our capacity as a nation to plan effectively, allocate resources responsibly and evaluate the impact of policies and programmes.

Kipsang said the quality and reliability of vital statistics depend greatly on registration coverage, adding that full digitalisation of the Civil Registration Services will be achieved within the next two years, enabling efficient, transparent, and accessible service delivery across the country.

“They provide essential data that guide policy formulation, inform strategic decisions and support monitoring across key sectors including health, social protection, education and public administration.”

He added, “These statistics also underpin critical demographic indicators such as life expectancy at birth, infant and maternal health outcomes, fertility patterns and population projections.”

To address the challenges, the PS said the Department of Civil Registration has launched the E-Notification module for birth registration, which has been successfully piloted in selected hospitals in Nairobi and is ready for national rollout.

The E-Notification module for death registration is currently under development and is expected to be piloted by mid-January 2026.

He announced plans to digitise all manual records and provide secure electronic access to authorised users through APIs.

“There are digitalisation efforts that will ensure real-time submission of registration data from all regions, including hard-to-reach areas, thereby improving inclusivity and overall coverage,” PS Kipsang said.

The state also plans the introduction of the Unique Personal Identifier (UPI), which will be assigned at birth and serve as a lifelong identity number for all subsequent registrations and service interactions.

The report released today during a breakfast meeting at a city hotel was compiled through collaboration with key partners, including UNFPA, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and various stakeholders.

“To maximise their value, it is important that this information is disseminated consistently and made accessible to policymakers, researchers, civil society and the public. Such openness promotes transparency and reinforces evidence-based decision-making across all sectors.”

At the County level, the report shows that Baringo County records 56.6 per cent births and 29 per cent in deaths, while Bomet County surpasses the national average by recording 76.5 per cent in births, with the deaths being behind the national average at 28.4 per cent.

In Bungoma, birth registrations stood at 76.1 per cent and deaths at 64.8 per cent. Busia has 59.3 per cent births and 62.5 per cent death registrations, Elgeyo Marakwet recorded 76.1 per cent births and 25.4 per cent death registrations, while Embu had 78.2 per cent births and 42.7 per cent death registrations.

Garissa recorded 54.4% births and 9.6% death registrations, Homabay had 86.7% births and 24.0% deaths, Isiolo had 54.8% births and 25.1% death registrations, Kajiado had 80.8% births and 25.2% death registrations, with Kakamega recording 73.8% births and 62.5% death registrations.

Kericho birth registrations stood at 95.2% and deaths at 44.8%, Kiambu had 86.7% in births and 51.5% in death registrations, Kilifi had 82.4% in births and 29.2% in death registrations, Kirinyaga had 88.3% in births and 44.4% in death register with Kisii County recorded 85.9% in births and 48.2 per cent in death registrations.

Kisumu County had 86.7% and 49.7% in birth and death registrations respectively, Kitui had 68.7% of births and 39.0% of deaths registered, Kwale had 86.7% births and 24.0% in deaths register, Laikipia had 91.7% percent in births and 52.9% in deaths registered, Lamu had 48.7% births and 28.6% deaths registered and Machakos had 67.1% in births and 39.8% in deaths register.

Mombasa County had 78.2% and 81.5% births and deaths, respectively, registered. Nairobi County and 130% birth registrations and 70.4% in deaths, Nyamira County had 76.3% and 22.2% in birth and death registration, Nakuru had 77.2% and 51.2% respectively in birth and death register with Turkana had 29.9% in births and 24.4% in death registrations.

Uasin Gishu had 96.3% in birth and 91.5% in death registrations, Vihiga had 67.4% births and 48.1% in death registrations and West Pokot had 37.6% and 20.9% in birth and death registrations, respectively.