Government Introduces New Tech to Cut Waiting Time to 24 Hours at Huduma Centres
The Kenyan government is making big changes to how fast you can get a Police Clearance Certificate, also known as a Certificate of Good Conduct.
On Thursday, July 24, the Huduma Kenya Secretariat (HKS) announced that a new system will be introduced in Huduma Centres that will allow Kenyans to receive their good conduct certificates within just 24 hours.
This improvement is made possible by the rollout of advanced Multi-Biometric Identification (MBI) systems and live capture machines.
These new devices will quickly and accurately capture important biometric details such as fingerprints and facial recognition data, helping to drastically reduce the time it takes to process the certificates.
Currently, the process of getting this certificate takes several days or even weeks, depending on the volume of applications and the efficiency of the local office. However, with the introduction of these new technologies, delays caused by manual processing will be eliminated.
The announcement followed a strategic meeting involving key government departments—Huduma Kenya Secretariat, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Public Sector Reforms (PSR) unit—who came together to explore better ways of delivering government services at the Huduma Centres.
“Plans are underway to drastically cut the turnaround time for DCI services. Soon, Police Clearance Certificates will be issued within a single day,” said Huduma Kenya in an official statement.
“This initiative aims to boost service efficiency at DCI desks and ensure that Kenyans receive faster, more convenient services at Huduma Centres nationwide,” the statement continued.
Why the Certificate of Good Conduct Is Important
The Police Clearance Certificate is an essential document for Kenyans. It confirms that the person has no criminal record and is often required when applying for jobs, visas, or immigration documents. It plays a vital role in background checks for both local and international opportunities.
To apply, an individual must:
- Log into or create an account on the eCitizen platform.
- Go to DCI services and select “Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate”.
- Fill in the required details online.
- Pay the processing fee.
- Download and print the C24 fingerprint form and invoice.
- Visit a DCI office or Huduma Centre to submit fingerprints and complete the application process.
Extra Push to Serve Marginalised Communities
This update comes just one week after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed plans to reach marginalised and underserved communities. Speaking on Thursday, June 16, Murkomen said the government is testing the Mobile Live Capture Unit—a portable, battery-powered machine that can be carried to remote regions to register individuals for IDs and other important documents.
“I reviewed the pilot test for the Mobile Live Capture Unit. It captures an applicant’s biometric data and sends it electronically for faster ID processing,” said Murkomen.
“Once fully tested, these machines will be sent to marginalised counties where people often lack IDs due to poor infrastructure and insecurity.”
He added that once deployed, these mobile machines would enable people in remote areas to receive their national IDs within three days, closing the gap in public service access.
In short, these reforms by DCI and Huduma Kenya promise a major boost in convenience and efficiency, especially for Kenyans applying for jobs, traveling abroad, or seeking official documentation.
With biometric technology and mobile units coming into play, the government aims to bring faster, smarter, and more accessible services to citizens everywhere.
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