SharesA birth certificate is a foundational legal document that establishes a child’s identity, nationality, and parentage. In Kenya, being listed as a father carries profound legal, financial, and moral weight, dictating everything from child maintenance to inheritance rights. Based on the Registration of Births and Deaths Act and recent landmark rulings by the Kenyan High Court, here are the legal instances where a father’s name can be struck from a child’s birth certificate. Proof of non-paternityThe most common and unassailable reason for removing a father’s name is scientific proof of non-paternity. Lack of consentIn Kenya, a mother cannot unilaterally decide to add a man’s name to a child’s birth certificate if they are not married, unless the man gives his express, written consent.