Senators call for automated system for certificates of good conduct

Senator Joe Nyutu at Bunge Towers on October 3, 2023. [Boniface Okendo, Standard] Senators are pushing for the automation of the issuance of certificates of good conduct so as to spare citizens the need to travel for kilometres to apply or renew police clearance certificates known as Certificate of Good Conduct. Muranga Senator Joe Nyutu, who initiated the move, said that many citizens are forced to travel long distances to application and fingerprint centres to get the crucial documents, which should not be the case with the advanced technology in the country. Nyutu said there was a need to incorporate advanced technologies such as biometric fingerprint recognition to enhance accuracy, security, and expediency in verifying an individual's record, instead of requiring them to be there physically as it is currently. "The National Police Service Commission, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, should develop and implement an automated good conduct certification system designed to streamline the issuance, renewal, and verification of certificates of good conduct," said Nyutu. The Muranga Senator said that a Certificate of Good Conduct is a major requirement for Kenyan citizens in accessing employment, business opportunities, and in some instances, financial services with financial institutions in Kenya, and should be easily available. Nyutu said the current manual application system is prone to delays and inconsistencies, which may compromise the authenticity and integrity of a Certificate of Good Conduct, with its acquisition tedious and prone to delays, locking out many Kenyans from various opportunities. He called for the urgent need to introduce an automated system, including the utilization of biometric fingerprint verification through the deployment of biometric kits, stating this will enhance accuracy, security, and expediency in verifying an individual's record. "Many Kenyans are compelled to travel long distances to access this service, both for the initial application and for any subsequent applications, making the process tedious, time-consuming, and costly, which should not be the case," Nyutu said. He called on the government to establish decentralized service points and deploy mobile registration units across counties to enhance accessibility, especially in remote areas, with the National Police Service scaling up public awareness initiatives in rural areas on the application and renewal process for the certificate of good conduct. In 2023, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) scrapped the requirement for Kenyans applying for the certificates to book a fingerprinting date, asking them to present the requisite documents at any centre within their proximity, after which fingerprints would be taken as the process commences. In a move that sought to streamline services and do away with the tiresome process, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said the system, which required one to book a day to have their fingerprints taken, had been scrapped from the eCitizen platform. "You are no longer required to book a fingerprinting date while applying for a Police Clearance Certificate (formerly Good Conduct). This section has been removed from the portal. Applicants are encouraged to visit their convenient fingerprint centres with their printed C24 copies, payment vouchers, and original ID cards," read the DCI statement. The State agency also noted that the same system, which was initially available only at the DCI headquarters, will henceforth also be available at Huduma Centres across the country, with those living in Towns reminded that this service is equally available at the Huduma Centres.

Senators call for automated system for certificates of good conduct

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