Kenyans to Get Certificates of Good Conduct Within 24 Hours Under New Biometric System

Kenya will begin issuing Certificates of Good Conduct within 24 hours under a new biometric identification system launched by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Thursday, 23 July.

The announcement was made during the launch of the Multi-Biometric Identification System (MBIS) and the formal accreditation of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations' Forensic Evidence Management Unit (FEMU). Murkomen said the reforms would improve the speed and reliability of criminal record checks and strengthen forensic investigations.

The Certificate of Good Conduct, also known as a police clearance certificate, is required for many job applications, public service appointments under Chapter Six of the Constitution and visa applications. Murkomen said the previous process often took up to two weeks, with outdated systems and weak evidence management contributing to delays and reducing public confidence.

The MBIS replaces the Automated Palm and Fingerprint Identification System introduced in 2016. It increases biometric records storage from two million to ten million and raises daily fingerprint search capacity from 4,500 to 20,000. Murkomen said the upgraded system would allow clearance certificates to be processed within one day, describing it as a response to long-standing concerns about delays.

The Interior Ministry also plans to connect the new system with the National Registration Bureau, the Judiciary, the Immigration Department and INTERPOL. The integration is expected to support real-time identity verification, improve information sharing and strengthen efforts to prevent cross-border crime. The government also plans to expand biometric enrolment services to police stations across the country, making fingerprint registration more accessible.

FEMU has also received international accreditation from the ANSI National Accreditation Board. Murkomen said the recognition confirms that Kenya's forensic evidence management meets international standards and strengthens the chain of custody in criminal investigations. He said this would improve the quality of prosecutions and support more reliable convictions while strengthening Kenya's position in forensic science across the region.

The reforms are intended to improve public services and increase confidence in the criminal justice system. By reducing processing times and improving evidence management, the government aims to strengthen accountability and modernise policing. Murkomen said the long-term goal is for every police station and forensic unit to meet the same standards.