By Brian Said Iha
May 30, 2026
HOMA BAY TOWN, HOMA BAY COUNTY – Members of the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security have expressed concern over persistent challenges affecting birth registration services and the inadequate funding of the Kenya Coast Guard Service following an inspection tour of government facilities in Homa Bay County.
The committee, chaired by Lari MP Mburu Kahangara, toured the National Registration Bureau (NRB) and Civil Registration Office (CRO) facilities in Homa Bay Constituency on Friday to assess service delivery, staffing levels, and infrastructure needs.
The delegation included Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, Elgeyo Marakwet Woman Representative Caroline Ngelechei, Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, and Mount Elgon MP Fred Kapondi.
During the visit, Hon. Kahangara commended the Homa Bay registration office for surpassing its annual target in the issuance of national identity cards, noting that the office had registered more than 54,000 people despite operating under limited resources.
“In this year, despite having a very small target, they have managed to surpass it and have now registered over 54,000 persons,” said Kahangara.
He lauded registration officers for their dedication and urged young Kenyans receiving identity cards to take the next step and register as voters ahead of the next General Election.
“As we move closer to an election year, we want to encourage those getting IDs to also register as voters so that they can participate in deciding the leadership the country wants moving forward,” he said.
The lawmakers, however, voiced concern over difficulties faced by residents seeking birth and death registration services, especially in border sub-counties where applicants are often required to present multiple supporting documents before obtaining birth certificates.
According to the committee chairperson, the current requirements create unnecessary barriers for many citizens, delaying access to essential government services that depend on proper documentation.
“We removed the screening process for IDs and would want the same when it comes to birth certificates so that Kenyans can access the documents more easily,” he said.
Kahangara revealed that Parliament is considering reforms aimed at simplifying registration procedures and improving access to civil registration services across the country.
He noted that the planned rollout of the Maisha Number system could significantly reduce documentation challenges by assigning every Kenyan a unique identification number at birth, which would then be used throughout their lifetime when accessing government services.
The committee further observed that poor infrastructure, inadequate staffing, and limited operational resources continue to hamper efficient service delivery in registration offices.
The MPs pledged to push for increased budgetary allocations during the ongoing national budget-making process to improve working conditions and enhance service delivery in the affected offices.
The inspection tour also turned attention to the Kenya Coast Guard Service, where lawmakers raised concerns about the agency’s capacity to effectively secure the country’s territorial waters.
Kahangara noted that despite the Coast Guard’s critical role in safeguarding Kenya’s maritime and inland water borders, the institution remains underfunded and lacks sufficient equipment to carry out its mandate.
“Coast guards are supposed to keep surveillance in our waters, from the Indian Ocean to Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana, especially in areas bordering neighbouring countries,” he said.
The committee heard that most Coast Guard officers are seconded from other security agencies and that the service is still developing its operational structures, having been established only a few years ago.
Lawmakers observed that the shortage of patrol boats, surveillance equipment, and supporting infrastructure has significantly affected the agency’s ability to conduct effective patrols and respond to security threats.
“The officers may have the mandate, but without boats and equipment there is no way they can effectively execute their duties,” Kahangara stated.
The committee pledged to lobby for enhanced funding to strengthen the Coast Guard’s operational capacity, improve surveillance along Kenya’s water borders, and bolster efforts to combat cross-border crime, illegal fishing, smuggling, and other security threats.
The inspection forms part of the committee’s nationwide oversight programme aimed at evaluating service delivery across security and registration institutions and identifying areas requiring legislative and budgetary intervention.
