A police clearance certificate otherwise known as a certificate of good conduct is a key requirement for job seekers in Kenya as most employers demand for it during the job application process.
The certificate certifies that the applicant has never partaken in any criminal activity that led to the involvement of the Kenyan Police Force.
However, to obtain such a crucial document, an applicant is required to part with a substantial fee of Sh1050; an amount that has been contested since time immemorial for being exorbitant.
On Wednesday, yet another concerned Kenyan raised the issue with the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) on Twitter platform. The Kenyan on Twitter, identified as Keg Ambassador, wondered why he has to pay to prove that he is not a criminal.
“Hi @DCI_Kenya, why do I have to pay to prove that am not a criminal. Am talking about the Police Clearance – Certificate of Good Conduct. It’s expensive to be a law-abiding citizen. Please answer me,” posed the Keg ambassador.
As expected, the DCI gave the usual explanation that the fee is meant to facilitate the processes involved.
“Good afternoon @KegAmbassadorKE. Please note that you DO NOT have to pay to prove your innocence. However, if you need to have the certificate as tangible proof, then you must pay that Govt Service Fee to facilitate all the processes involved. The resources involved are at a cost,” DCI responded.
Naturally, netizens were not convinced by the explanation and made their discontent known. Below are some sampled reactions;
Hi @DCI_Kenya, why do I have to pay to prove that am not a criminal. Am talking about the Police Clearance – Certificate of Good Conduct. Its expensive to be a law abiding citizen. Please answer me.
— Keg Ambassador ????? (@KegAmbassadorKE) June 19, 2019
Good afternoon @KegAmbassadorKE. Please note that you DO NOT have to pay to prove your innocence.However, if you need to have the certificate as tangible proof, then you must pay that Govt Service Fee to facilitate all the processes involved. The resources involved are at a cost. https://t.co/HQr3UuMKBq
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) June 19, 2019
For instance, when requesting a bank statement for your money from any bank that service is charged yet the money belongs to the customer. Thank you.
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) June 19, 2019
Semantics tu hapa. A bank is in it for the profit so we understand if they need to cash in per transaction. What profit on top of the taxes does the government service need? It doesn’t make sense why I should be charged for being a law abiding citizen surely.
— Chris Mwangi (@Mwangixtopher) June 19, 2019
Greetings @to_Clive. Please be informed that the escape happened more than 20 years ago & criminal data which is not permanent is expunged after 20 years unless you are convicted for offences punishable by death or life imprisonment in which the fingerprints are permanently kept.
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) June 19, 2019
Hello @TOgeka . You have to be taken your fingerprints afresh because we only keep fingerprints for offenders only. Thank you.
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) June 19, 2019
I would love to agree with you guys but can those who want us to prove that we have never been arrested for a crime just contact you to check instead of putting that pressure on folks who can’t afford the process. At the same time we already paying taxes to facilitate the process
— Keg Ambassador ????? (@KegAmbassadorKE) June 19, 2019
The Bank analogy is stupid, the Bank is a private institution,KRA is Govt entity and doesn’t charge for soft copy of its Tax compliance. That is thievery of the highest order to the youth. And it should be be free service ama utumishi kwa wote bure!
— Alex Mathenge (@AlexMathenge) June 19, 2019
We don’t “Need” it, we are compelled to have it by Govt.
If we have 10,000 Criminals & 50,million citizens. Yet the 49,990,000 non-criminals, are each rqrd to pay 1,500 each to get a certificate to prove they not part of the 10,000 crooks. Just so Jubilee cn pay sm Chinese loans!— God of Logic: [?] NRM (@swedenhill) June 19, 2019
In most countries it takes less than two days to get your Good conduct certificate , while in Kenya it takes more than 2 to 4 weeks .
Payment should be reasonable amount like 2 dollars that 200 Ksh .— Fidelis yule Mpole (@ammyambrose) June 19, 2019
