The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has unveiled a new digital system that will enable Kenyans applying for Police Clearance Certificates, commonly known as Certificates of Good Conduct, to receive the documents on the same day of application.
The upgraded platform, known as the Multi-Biometric Identification System (MBIS)-ABIS Version 5, was officially launched by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who described the initiative as a major milestone in modernising public service delivery.
The launch was attended by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli, DCI Director Mohamed Amin, and Head of e-Citizen Isaac Ochieng, among other government officials.
The system replaces the traditional ink-based fingerprint collection process with a fully digital biometric platform. Applicants will now have their fingerprints captured electronically using specialised scanners, allowing the information to be processed more quickly and accurately.
According to the DCI, the new technology is expected to significantly reduce waiting times, improve the accuracy of identity verification, and eliminate many of the delays that have long frustrated applicants seeking the certificate for employment, education, travel, licensing, and other official purposes.
Speaking during the launch, DCI Director Mohamed Amin said the upgrade reflects the agency’s commitment to embracing technology to enhance service delivery and improve the experience of citizens accessing government services.
He added that the system will be rolled out across all 51 Huduma Centres nationwide to ensure easier access for applicants regardless of their location.
The transition to the digital platform comes amid growing calls for faster and more efficient public services under the government’s digital transformation agenda.
For years, applicants have complained about lengthy processing periods that often delayed job applications and other time-sensitive opportunities.
With the nationwide rollout of the MBIS-ABIS Version 5 system, the DCI expects the issuance of Certificates of Good Conduct to become faster, more secure, and more reliable, providing much-needed relief to thousands of Kenyans who require the document each year.
