NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyans may soon avoid the long, frustrating journeys to apply for certificates of good conduct if a fresh push in the Senate to digitize the process succeeds.
A motion by Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu is calling for the full automation of the application, renewal, and verification process for the police clearance certificate—commonly referred to as the certificate of good conduct.
“The National Police Service Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, should develop and implement an automated good conduct certification system,” Nyutu told the Senate. “This would drastically cut delays and reduce the financial burden on applicants.”
The certificate is a key requirement for most job seekers and entrepreneurs, yet many applicants must travel long distances to access fingerprinting services.
Even after managing that, they still face weeks or even months of waiting—delays that often cost them job or loan opportunities.
Currently, most applications are still processed manually, with fingerprinting conducted at designated centres.
Nyutu said this exposes the system to inefficiencies and raises questions about the reliability and integrity of the documents.
He is now proposing a digital shift that would integrate biometric fingerprint verification, decentralised service points, mobile registration units, and expanded access through Huduma centres.
The plan also calls for public awareness campaigns to educate Kenyans, especially in rural areas, on how to use the revamped system.
“This is not just a matter of convenience. It’s about equity. Many Kenyans are locked out of opportunities simply because the system is slow, outdated, and inaccessible,” Nyutu said.
The motion builds on earlier reforms announced in 2023 by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which scrapped the requirement to book fingerprinting appointments.
The DCI also expanded the service to Huduma centres, allowing walk-in access for applicants with completed forms and documents.
Still, challenges remain. Despite these reforms, many applicants report long queues, slow turnaround times, and uncertainty over when or whether they will receive their certificates.
According to the DCI, certificates are pulled down from the eCitizen platform six months after issuance.
Applicants are advised to download and print them for safekeeping.
At DCI headquarters, fingerprinting services run from 7am to 3pm, but only those already inside the centre are served past the cutoff.
