On Thursday, Justice Mumbi Ngugi declared that children born outside marriage and abandoned by their fathers will now on be entitled to have their dad's names on their birth certificates.
Speaking at Parliament buildings, Mbita MP Milly Odhiambo urged the 'sponsors' to be extra careful before engaging in affairs, adding that they ought to know what will follow.
“I would encourage all sponsors that before they go out on sponsorship missions, they need to know the consequences and be very careful,” Odhiambo said.
Judge Ngugi ruled that Section 12 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act was unconstitutional, stating that children should not be subjected to discrimination because of the parents' marital status.
"Every child is entitled to a name. Even though we live in a patriarchal society, it is proper to keep birth records and avoid justifying the limit of discrimination in a child’s life.” Justice Ngugi said.
She further directed the Registrar of Births and Deaths to ensure the entry of names was done in the next 45 days.
Ngugi further said that no consent was required from the father for his name to be used.