Applying for or renewing police clearance certificate, commonly known as certificates of good conduct, may soon be more convenient if a new proposal led by senators gets the green light. The push seeks to replace the current manual process with an automated, digital certification system to ease the burden on citizens.
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu is leading the motion, which calls for the creation and implementation of a centralized digital platform to manage the issuance, renewal, and verification of the certificates..
“The National Police Service Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, should develop and implement an automated good conduct certification system designed to streamline the issuance, renewal and verification of these certificates,” Nyutu said.
He noted that many Kenyans are still forced to travel long distances to reach fingerprinting and application centers, making the process costly, time-consuming, and inefficient.
“A certificate of good conduct is a major requirement for Kenyan citizens seeking employment, business opportunities and, in some cases, financial services,” he added. “Yet its acquisition remains tedious and prone to delays, locking many Kenyans out of critical opportunities.”
Nyutu criticized the current manual system for being prone to delays and inconsistencies, which he warned could compromise the authenticity and credibility of the police clearance certificates.
To resolve these issues, he recommended the integration of biometric fingerprint recognition technology to improve the accuracy, security, and speed of criminal record checks. He also proposed deploying mobile biometric kits, setting up decentralized service centers, and introducing mobile registration units to reach remote and underserved regions.
Additionally, the senator urged government agencies to launch public awareness campaigns, particularly in rural areas, to educate citizens on how to access and use the new system.
The motion has already been tabled in the Senate.
