Kiambu residents have been warned to be vigilant following reports of a group selling fake birth certificates in the area.
Addressing the press on Tuesday in Kiambu Town, the area OCPD Mr Stephen Ngetich said that he has reports of some individuals within the Sub County who are walking around to solicit for funds from the public as they issue fake birth certificates.
“Reports of individuals in possession of fake birth certificates have reached my office and I have instructed security agents to carry out investigations and ensure that the culprits are apprehended as soon as possible,” he said.
Ngetich appealed to members of the public who may have information on the matter to liaise with police officers before more people are conned.
“This is an issue which we are not taking lightly especially at such a time when war on insecurity has gathered momentum. We may not know the intention of those behind such an act. The public should assist us arrest these people as soon as possible,” he said.
Speaking separately, the area registrar of births and deaths Mrs Jane Wangare stressed that possession of fake documents is illegal and warned that it can attract serious legal implications.
She warned that it is only his office that is mandated to issue birth certificates and cautioned residents against accessing the documents from elsewhere.
“I am wondering why one can decide to go obtain a fake birth certificate when our offices are ever open and the process is so efficient. It clearly shows that such a person may be having wrong intentions,” she said.
The registrar advised parents to register their children as soon as they are born to prevent instances of late registration which he blamed for the increased rates of faking the documents.
“Criminals are taking advantage of late registration to process and issue fake birth certificates. If all children were to be registered at birth I am sure such scenarios would not surface,” she said.