Runaway dads the new law puts your name on your child's birth certificate

BIRTH CERTIFICATES OF CHILDREN BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK TO BEAR FATHERS NAMES

rbby_99A high court judge made a ruling yesterday that allows for the names of fathers to children born out of wedlock to be included in the birth certificate.

In her ruling, justice Mumbi Ngugi declared Section 12 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act unconstitutional saying that said every child has a right to have the name of his or her father on the birth certificate.

“Every child is entitled to a name. Even though we live in patriarchal society, it is proper to keep birth records and avoid justifying the limit of discrimination in a child’s life.”

Initially, the law required a mother to seek the concent of the father before including his name on the birth certificate but with the new ruling, a mother will be allowed to do that without any permission.

Justice Mumbi Ngugi also ordered the Registrar of Births and Deaths to ensure that the entry of names is done in the next 45 days.

The verdict was as a result of case filed by a single mother in 2014, challenging the Births and Deaths Registration Act.

The ruling was ironically received with mixed reactions from Kenyan women, with some asking “what if I don’t want his names to appear”.

rbby_99A high court judge made a ruling yesterday that allows for the names of fathers to children born out of wedlock to be included in the birth certificate.

In her ruling, justice Mumbi Ngugi declared Section 12 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act unconstitutional saying that said every child has a right to have the name of his or her father on the birth certificate.

“Every child is entitled to a name. Even though we live in patriarchal society, it is proper to keep birth records and avoid justifying the limit of discrimination in a child’s life.”

Initially, the law required a mother to seek the concent of the father before including his name on the birth certificate but with the new ruling, a mother will be allowed to do that without any permission.

Justice Mumbi Ngugi also ordered the Registrar of Births and Deaths to ensure that the entry of names is done in the next 45 days.

The verdict was as a result of case filed by a single mother in 2014, challenging the Births and Deaths Registration Act.

The ruling was ironically received with mixed reactions from Kenyan women, with some asking “what if I don’t want his names to appear”.