Mothers seeking birth certificates for their children have been advised to indicate the names of their fathers as it may be needed at a later stage in their lives.
Lugari Sub-County Deputy Civil Register of Persons Brian Korir, while speaking from his office in Lumakanda, observed that some single mothers seeking birth registration of their children insist on not the fathers’ details, a situation he described as not ‘healthy’ for future child’s advancement.
Korir said by excluding the details of their fathers in birth certificates may deny the child future opportunities when the details will be needed. “Trying to reinstate fathers’ details in a written birth certificate in future is not easy as it will call for court procedures,” he said.
He suggested that mothers who have details of the fathers of their children should ensure they are indicated in the birth certificates.
The Deputy Registrar is worried that single mothers who decline details of the fathers in birth certificates are on the rise in the Sub-Counties of Matete, Lugari and Likuyani.
Korir blamed failure of men to support their children financially as some of the push factors forcing women to exclude fathers in birth certificates.
“Sometimes women say men have completely failed to provide for their children and there was no need to be identified in birth certificates,” he said.
The officer said teens engaged in sex leading to early pregnancies may also avoid names of the fathers in births certificate as it may attract legal questions.
He said sensitization should be carried so that women clearly understand the consequences of excluding the names of biological fathers in birth certificates.
“Clear message should reach all women, if possible, to avail details of fathers for birth registration of their children,” Korir added.
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