NAIROBI —
Kenya’s government has announced a major shake-up in how citizens apply for police clearance certificates, promising to slash the waiting period to just one day.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Huduma Kenya Secretariat said all Huduma Centres will soon be fitted with Multi-Biometric Identification systems and live capture technology—equipment designed to instantly process fingerprints and facial recognition data.
The aim is to speed up the processing of police clearance certificates, also known as good conduct papers, which are required for employment, visa applications, and other official procedures.
“Plans are underway to significantly reduce the turnaround time for DCI services,” Huduma Kenya said. “Police clearance certificates will soon be processed and issued within a single day.”
Currently, the process can take days or even weeks—frustrating thousands of Kenyans in urgent need of the document. The upgrade is part of a wider push to improve efficiency in government services.
A Collaborative Push
The plan was unveiled after a joint meeting between the Huduma Kenya Secretariat, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Public Sector Reforms (PSR) office. Together, they are exploring ways to enhance delivery at DCI desks located in Huduma Centres countrywide.
Huduma Kenya explained that the move would result in “faster, more seamless services to citizens,” particularly those in remote or underserved regions.
How the New System Works
Applicants will still begin the process online through the eCitizen platform—creating an account, paying the necessary fees, and downloading the C24 fingerprint form. But now, instead of delays at fingerprinting stations, they’ll use upgraded machines at Huduma Centres that instantly capture and transmit their biometric data.
The systems will automatically verify the applicant's information and allow for same-day issuance, pending clearance.
Tech for the Margins
The announcement comes shortly after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed a similar innovation designed for rural Kenya. He said the government is piloting Mobile Live Capture Units—portable devices that can process ID applications in remote areas where infrastructure is poor or non-existent.
“These battery-powered machines can capture applicant data and relay it electronically for processing,” said Murkomen on 16 June. “Once testing is complete, they will be deployed to marginalised counties.”
Murkomen added that the goal is to ensure residents in such areas can obtain national ID cards within three days.
Efficiency and Access
The latest changes reflect the government’s growing reliance on technology to streamline public services and tackle long-standing bureaucratic delays. By merging digital tools with biometric verification, officials hope to build trust, improve access, and cut down on corruption or forgery.
As more Huduma Centres receive the new equipment, Kenyans may soon find the dreaded good conduct wait time becoming a thing of the past.