NAIROBI, Kenya – Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has announced that the government is working on reforms to ease the process of obtaining police clearance and certificates of good conduct by eliminating the requirement for repeated fingerprint submissions.
Speaking during an interview on KTN News on September 1, 2025, Ruku said the initiative is part of a wider digital government agenda aimed at cutting bureaucracy and enhancing efficiency in public service delivery.
“At the moment, if you want to get a police clearance certificate, you have to walk or drive somewhere and give your fingerprints every year. Is it possible to have fingerprints stored once and for all, and not be required again and again?” he posed.
Under the plan, a centralised platform would securely store citizens’ fingerprints and personal records, allowing agencies to verify identities without demanding multiple submissions.
The CS said such a system would not only reduce costs and delays but also streamline applications for jobs, education, and other services where clearance is required.
He explained that digital linkages would make it possible for institutions to instantly verify qualifications, work history, and criminal records without individuals attaching multiple hardcopy certificates.
Ruku also noted that the reforms could help curb fraud, including the use of fake certificates and falsified ages by civil servants seeking to delay retirement.
“We need to have an efficient public service that addresses the needs of young people. The average age in Kenya is 22 years, and they want services straight from their mobile phones, without unnecessary bureaucracy,” he said.
The CS, however, cautioned that digitisation must be accompanied by strong safeguards against cyber threats to protect sensitive national data.
This latest move builds on earlier reforms spearheaded by Ruku. In July, he unveiled a mandatory mobile app for all public officers to monitor attendance and performance—a measure designed to curb absenteeism and eliminate ghost workers.
