Kenyans Can Now Access Police Clearance Certificates at Select Huduma Centres

Kenyans can now obtain police clearance certificates, also known as Certificates of Good Conduct, at select Huduma Centres nationwide, streamlining access to this essential document. This development eliminates the previous requirement for applicants to visit the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi or regional DCI offices to collect their certificates. The initiative aims to make the process faster and more convenient for citizens.

Huduma Kenya announced that the new service enhances accessibility, allowing applicants to process their certificates at designated Huduma Centres. "Police clearance is now within reach. Walk into select Huduma Centres and get your good conduct certificate processed faster," the agency stated on X on Thursday. However, due to legal and technical requirements, the fingerprinting process cannot be completed online, as biometrics capture requires physical presence.

Police clearance certificates are critical documents often required by employers, immigration authorities, or professional licensing bodies to verify whether an applicant has a criminal record, pending cases, or past convictions. The application process is initiated through the eCitizen portal, where applicants must either log in or create an account to access DCI services. From there, they select the Police Clearance Certificate option, provide the necessary details, and pay a fee of Sh1,050. Upon payment, the system generates a C24 fingerprint form and a receipt, both of which must be printed.

A mandatory step in the process is fingerprinting, which requires applicants to book an appointment online and visit a designated location, such as a Huduma Centre, the DCI headquarters on Kiambu Road, or a regional DCI office. During the visit, applicants must present their original national ID or passport, a copy of the ID or passport, two passport-sized photographs, the C24 form, and the payment receipt. Once fingerprints are captured, the DCI processes the application, which typically takes two to four weeks.

Applicants will receive an SMS or email notification when their certificate is ready for download from their eCitizen account. The certificate remains valid for twelve months from the date of issue, providing a convenient and efficient way for Kenyans to meet employment, immigration, or licensing requirements