Senator Nyutu pushes for digital certificate of good conduct system
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has tabled a motion in the Senate seeking the implementation of an automated and decentralised Certificate of Good Conduct system, calling the current manual process outdated, inefficient, and a major hurdle for thousands of Kenyans, especially the youth.
If adopted, Nyutu says the motion would mark a major shift in how the Kenyan government delivers this essential public service, aligning with broader efforts to digitise and decentralise government operations.
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Speaking in the Senate on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Nyutu raised concerns that the existing manual application process was not only time-consuming and costly but also placed a disproportionate burden on applicants from rural and remote areas.
“Mr. Speaker, many Kenyans are forced to travel long distances just to apply for or renew their Certificate of Good Conduct. This is not only tedious and costly but also unnecessary in today’s digital era,” he told the Senate.
In his motion, Nyutu urged the National Police Service Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, to develop and implement a fully automated certification system.
He proposed the integration of modern technologies, including biometric fingerprint recognition, data encryption, and secure communication protocols, to enhance accuracy and security.
“The certificate is not just a piece of paper; it’s a gateway to opportunities. Many of our young people miss out on jobs because the current system takes too long or breaks down entirely,” he said.
Senator Nyutu also pointed to the inconsistencies of the manual process, which he warned could compromise the integrity and authenticity of the certificates being issued.
“Sometimes, the manual process introduces loopholes that may be exploited. An automated system with biometric verification will ensure that every certificate is valid, tamper-proof, and quickly accessible,” he added.
Decentralised service points
The motion calls for the establishment of decentralised service points across all counties and the deployment of mobile registration units to serve remote and underserved communities. Nyutu emphasised that accessibility must go hand in hand with modernisation.
“We are not just asking for an online system. We must ensure that even the most remote parts of this country can access these services. Mobile units and county-level service centres are crucial to make this a reality,” he argued.
The lawmaker also pushed for nationwide public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the new system and guide them through the application and renewal processes.
“Automation without awareness won’t solve the problem. People need to know how to use the system. We must scale up information drives in all corners of the country,” Nyutu stated.
Citing his own experience, Nyutu reminded fellow legislators that a valid Certificate of Good Conduct was among the key requirements for anyone seeking to contest public office during the last general election.
“Mr. Speaker, during the last elections, every one of us in this House had to get a Certificate of Good Conduct. That tells you how important it is. It is time we made it easier and faster to obtain,” he said.
He further noted that the document is often needed urgently, whether for job applications or securing credit from financial institutions.
“Sometimes you need the certificate to apply for a job or even a loan. Time is of the essence. With automation, what takes weeks could take minutes,” he remarked.
The Certificate of Good Conduct, issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), is a critical requirement for employment, access to certain financial services, and even participation in electoral processes.
It remains valid for only one year, necessitating frequent renewals.
The Senate is expected to deliberate further on the motion in the coming days.
