In a move aimed at enhancing public service efficiency, the government has unveiled a comprehensive overhaul of its biometric systems to facilitate seamless processing of police clearance forms and alleviate delays.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) chief, Mohamed Amin, announced the transition from the outdated Automated Palm and Fingerprint Identification System (APFIS) to the advanced Multi Biometric Identification System (MBIS) during a contract signing ceremony with M/S Idemia Southern and Eastern Africa Limited, the designated entity to drive the system upgrade.

“This upgrade is a direct response to the valid concerns raised by members of the public regarding the delays encountered in the processing of Police Clearance Certificates,” remarked Amin on the initiative’s significance.

Amin highlighted that the new MBIS framework will significantly slash certificate processing time from a cumbersome 14 days to a remarkable single day, effectively eradicating the existing backlog.

Moreover, the upgraded system will be accessible at all 52 Huduma Centres nationwide, the DCI Headquarters, and even police stations, with Amin affirming, “This feature will drastically reduce paperwork in the entire process of obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate.”

With a vast storage capacity capable of accommodating up to 10 million criminal records, the reformed system is poised to rectify previous shortcomings, ensuring a more expedited and efficient verification procedure for applicants across Kenya.

Amid mounting grievances from citizens regarding delays in clearance certificate issuance attributed to system malfunctions, this tech upgrade heralds a transformative step in modernizing service delivery and solidifying the commitment of the investigative agency to deliver prompt and dedicated assistance.