The government has implemented upgrades to the Police Clearance Certificate system, enhancing the production of documents commonly known as Certificate of Good Conduct.
This initiative aims to expedite the processing time for these certificates from 14 days to just one day. The accelerated processing speed will help clear the existing backlog while ensuring that the number of applications matches the volume processed each day.
This development follows the signing of a contract between the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and M/S Idemia Southern and Eastern Africa Limited, facilitated by Director Mohamed Amin.
The contract will facilitate the upgrade of the Police Clearance Certificate system from the Automated Palm and Fingerprint Identification System (APFIS) to the Multi Biometric Identification System (MBIS).
Director Amin highlighted that this upgrade addresses public concerns about the delays in processing Police Clearance Certificates (PCC). The new system aims to mitigate these concerns and streamline the certificate issuance process.
“The new system, MBIS will improve the processing speed of the certificates from the initial 14 days to one day, thus effectively contributing to the clearance of the backlog while also matching the corresponding number of applications to those processed in a day,” he said.
Furthermore, Amin stated that the new system is fully equipped to support livescans of Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) applications across 52 Huduma Centres nationwide, as well as at the DCI Headquarters and police stations. This capability will significantly reduce paperwork throughout the process of obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate.
Moreover, while the old system could only store two million criminal records, the upgraded system boasts a storage capacity of up to 10 million records, according to managers. Amin expressed confidence that this enhanced system will effectively address concerns regarding delayed processing of Police Clearance Certificates.
He reiterated the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ dedication to providing this service with utmost commitment. Applicants are advised that they no longer need to book fingerprinting dates on the eCitizen portal but should select their preferred fingerprinting centers based on convenience.
To prevent instances of documents being returned due to errors, applicants are reminded to ensure that the copies of their ID cards attached to the filled application forms are accurately duplicated, with particular attention to the thumbprint impression.
Some applicants have reported waiting for their documents for up to seven months. The DCI is now working diligently to clear the backlog, recognizing the importance of Police Clearance Certificates for individuals seeking employment opportunities or intending to travel to certain countries.
To apply for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), follow these steps:
1. Visit the e-citizen platform (https://www.ecitizen.go.ke/) and log in to your account. If you don’t have an account, you will need to create one.
2. Fill out the necessary forms for the Police Clearance Certificate and select your preferred mode of payment.
3. Pay for the police clearance using the available payment options.
4. After payment, download and print two copies of your invoice, as well as one copy of Form C24 on both sides of an A4 paper.
5. Present the printed invoice and Form C24, along with your original National ID (for adults) or original birth certificate (for minors), to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for fingerprint recording and processing.
6. During the submission process, ensure that you provide two copies of the invoice and one copy of the Form C24 printed on both sides of the paper.
7. You must appear in person at the DCI office to have your fingerprints and palm prints recorded on the prescribed fingerprint form (C24). If you are outside the country, you can send professionally fingerprinted forms.
8. For Kenyan children under 18, applications should be made through their parents’ or guardians’ e-citizen accounts.
9. Form C24 is where your fingerprints are recorded and can be downloaded from the e-citizen portal.
10. It is advisable for residents of the city to utilize the services offered at Huduma Centers to avoid long queues at the DCI headquarters.
11. Once your certificate is generated, it will remain on your e-citizen account for six months, after which it will be removed.
Follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth application process for your Police Clearance Certificate.
