The government has announced plans to roll out advanced biometric technology in all Huduma Centres across the country to significantly speed up the processing of police clearance certificates, also known as good conduct certificates.
In a statement released on Thursday, July 24, the Huduma Kenya Secretariat (HKS) revealed that the new system will include Multi-Biometric Identification (MBI) tools and live capture machines designed to reduce turnaround time (TAT) and enable same-day issuance of the crucial document.
“Plans are underway to significantly reduce the turnaround time (TAT) for DCI services, with police clearance certificates soon to be processed and issued within a single day,” Huduma Kenya said.
Currently, obtaining a police clearance certificate can take several days or even weeks. With the new equipment, biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images will be captured and verified instantly — allowing for near-immediate processing.
What is a Police Clearance Certificate?
A police clearance certificate is a vital document used to confirm that an individual has no criminal record. It is a key requirement for employment, immigration, and academic applications in Kenya and abroad.
To apply, one must create or log in to their eCitizen account, select DCI services, and apply for the certificate online. Applicants are required to:
- Fill out the digital form,
- Pay the application fee,
- Download the C24 fingerprint form and invoice,
- Present themselves at a Huduma Centre or DCI office for fingerprinting.
The integration of biometric technology at Huduma Centres will ensure that fingerprint data and identification records are processed much faster, eliminating current backlogs.
Boosting Efficiency Through Tech
The new system is part of a broader collaboration between the Huduma Kenya Secretariat, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Public Sector Reforms (PSR) unit.
According to HKS, the initiative is aimed at streamlining DCI operations at Huduma Centres, enabling faster and more seamless access to vital services for Kenyan citizens.
“This upgrade will significantly improve operational efficiency at the DCI desks and transform how Kenyans access public services,” the statement added.
New ID Technology for Marginalised Areas
The announcement comes just a week after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed that the government had started piloting a Mobile Live Capture Unit — a battery-powered device designed to speed up the issuance of national ID cards in underserved areas.
Murkomen said that the units, once fully tested and deployed, would allow residents in remote or insecure regions to receive their IDs within three days.
“The machines will be deployed to marginalised counties after testing. They electronically relay applicants’ data for faster ID processing,” the CS said.
These developments are part of a wider digital transformation strategy aimed at making government services more accessible, faster, and citizen-centered.