The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has issued an update on the processing and applications of police clearance forms that have been pending since April.
In a statement on Saturday, November 11, the Directorate announced that it was processing applications for clearance certificates on a first in first out basis, giving special consideration to needy cases.
As per the statement, the DCI has been giving priority to cases of people in situations including those required to travel for overseas medical treatment, scholarships and booked flights.
“At present, we are processing the clearance certificates on a first in first out basis with special consideration to needy cases like overseas medical treatment, scholarships and booked flights,” the statement read.
DCI noted that printing machines at the headquarters had broken down earlier in the year, a situation that led to a massive backlog of pending applications.
However, the statement added, the government resolved the breakdown issue in September 2023 leaving a backlog of over 600,000 police clearance applications against daily applications ranging between 13,000 and 15,000.
As a result, Kenyans seeking to get the clearance certificates have experienced delays over the last couple of months.
However, the directorate assured the public that efforts to ensure prompt processing had been adopted in response to the backlog.
DCI Announces measures to expedite processing
Among the measures announced include incorporating both automated and manual processing of the applications, according to DCI.
In the statement, the agency announced that officers from the Forensic Fingerprint Identification Bureau (FFIB) officers were also working round the clock, including on Saturdays and Sundays to increase the output rate.
To ensure needy cases and all delayed cases are promptly addressed, DCI said that it had deployed officers at various Huduma Centers (DCI Desks) countrywide to sort out and package such requests separately before submitting them for urgent processing.
So far, the DCI has managed to reduce the pile up from 635,000 to 390,778 applications as of November 10, 2023.
As per the statement, the agency is working towards ensuring that the usual two-week wait-time is restored by February 2024.
Also Read: Kindiki Addresses Certificate of Good Conduct Delays
“We regret the inconveniences caused to the applicants and appeal for calm and patience as the Principal Criminal Registrar bids to clear the remaining backlog soonest possible, thereby realizing a two-week wait time by February 2024,” DCI added.
The statement came at a time Kenyans were struggling to secure the much-needed certificates for their respective plans.
In September, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki vowed to address the backlog after public complaints.
At the time, CS Kindiki promised to replace the Automated Palm and Fingerprint Identification System (APFIS) with the Multi-Biometric Identification System (MBIS) as a way of enhancing efficiency in the process of issuing the certificates.
