Senators Advocate for Lifetime Certificate of Good Conduct to Support Job Seekers
Senators have proposed transformative reforms to the certificate of good conduct, advocating for its validity to extend for a lifetime, revocable only upon a criminal conviction. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial and logistical burdens faced by job seekers, particularly young people entering the workforce, who are currently required to renew the certificate annually.
The legislators criticized the existing manual system for its inefficiencies, including slow processing times, inconsistencies, and significant delays. They urged the national government to automate and decentralize the issuance, renewal, and verification processes to enhance efficiency and accessibility.
A key proponent of the reform, Senator Cherargei from Nandi argued that the certificate should remain valid unless a court determines that the holder has violated the law. The senator highlighted the cumbersome nature of the annual renewal process and suggested that only arrests and convictions should trigger revocation. He further proposed decentralizing access to the certificate, making it available at DCI sub-county offices or Huduma Centres nationwide, similar to national ID services. This would eliminate the need for residents from regions like Turkana, Migori, Nandi, Kilifi, and Meru to travel to DCI headquarters in Nairobi.
The senator also addressed the financial strain on job seekers, noting that the Sh1,050 fee for obtaining the certificate is burdensome, particularly for unemployed youth. He pointed out that the cumulative costs of securing various clearances, such as those from the Kenya Revenue Authority and the Higher Education Loans Board, along with transportation expenses, can amount to approximately Sh10,000 for a single job interview.
Senator Nyutu from Murang'a emphasized the need for modern technology, including biometric fingerprint recognition, data encryption, and secure communication systems, to ensure accuracy and integrity in issuing certificates. He noted that the current manual process often forces applicants to travel long distances for biometric data collection and form submissions, resulting in significant delays.
Supporting the proposal, a senator from Kisumu highlighted that decentralizing the service would improve convenience and reduce waiting times, leveraging the existing centralized data system used for identification cards. A senator from Uasin Gishu underscored the certificate's importance for all citizens, not just youth, and called for the National Police Service to allocate sufficient resources to enable digital access to the application process from any location.
The senators also stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns, particularly in rural areas, to educate citizens on the application and renewal processes. They advocated for a system that is efficient, transparent, and accessible to all, ensuring that the certificate of good conduct becomes a tool that supports, rather than hinders, Kenyans seeking employment and opportunities.