Kenyans could soon access Certificates of Good Conduct more swiftly and affordably through a legislative proposal aiming to digitalize the procedure and avoid repeated fingerprinting.
The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security is currently evaluating modifications to the National Police Service Act, permitting applicants to utilize stored biometric information for future submissions. This initiative intends to fully transition the process online via a centralized platform.
Upon approval, applicants would not be required to physically attend fingerprint collection facilities for each application or certificate renewal. Their previously recorded biometric details would instead be accessed from a national repository, substantially decreasing waiting times at Huduma Centers and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices.
Bill proponent Kanduyi MP John Makali informed the committee that these reforms are intended to enhance efficiency in accordance with digital advancement objectives.
“The main goal is to guarantee that after an individual’s biometric information is recorded, subsequent requests can be handled digitally without requiring in-person attendance,” he stated.
Makali pointed out that the DCI manages approximately one million applications each year, a workload that frequently causes delays and strains current systems.
Under the suggested framework, the organization would establish a protected biometric database to facilitate quicker processing and renewals.
Committee members also learned that these modifications would assist Kenyans residing overseas and young employment seekers who regularly need the clearance document for work opportunities.
Committee Vice Chair Robert Pukose requested confirmation that service provision would not face interruption during the transition period, to which Makali confirmed that operations would proceed without interruption but with enhanced processing speeds.
Legislators endorsed the proposal, with Florence Jematia characterizing it as advancement toward improved convenience and lower expenses for applicants.
The committee is scheduled to further investigate the monetary and technological aspects before submitting its report to the National Assembly.