The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has announced a new online process for Kenyans and foreign nationals to obtain police clearance certificates without having to travel back to Kenya. This move aims to simplify the application process for individuals living abroad. According to Principal Criminal Registrar W.N. Kirai, applicants can log into their eCitizen accounts and submit an online request for the certificate.
After submitting their request, applicants will be required to pay a fee and download the necessary forms. They will then need to present themselves at the nearest Kenyan embassy, high commission, or consulate for fingerprint capture. The fingerprints will be forwarded to Kenya through diplomatic channels. This process is designed to make it easier for Kenyans living overseas to obtain the necessary documentation.
The fingerprints received by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs will be passed on to the DCI for analysis. Once the analysis is complete, the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) will be generated online via eCitizen. This new process is expected to reduce the need for applicants to travel back to Kenya, saving time and resources.
Foreign nationals who previously lived in Kenya will also be able to apply for police clearance certificates online. However, they will need to upload supporting immigration documents, such as work permits, dependent passes, diplomatic cards, or student passes, on the DCI portal before proceeding with their application.
Once their application is approved, these applicants will also need to pay a fee, download the necessary forms and receipt, and attend a Kenyan diplomatic mission for biometric capture. After completing these steps, the certificate will be issued online. The DCI has also provided information on its website and at its stand in the Nairobi International Trade Fair.
For foreign nationals currently residing in Kenya, the process is similar, but fingerprinting will occur at a Huduma Centre rather than a diplomatic mission. Applicants should note that payment receipts are valid for six months, after which biometric capture must be completed.
The DCI is providing on-site information and PCC services at its stand in the Nairobi International Trade Fair, which runs until October 4 at Jamhuri Park Showground. This will give applicants an opportunity to learn more about the new process and get assistance with their applications.
Key points
- The DCI's new online process allows Kenyans and foreign nationals to apply for police clearance certificates without traveling back to Kenya.
- Applicants can log into their eCitizen accounts and submit an online request for the certificate, pay a fee, and download the necessary forms.
- The new process is expected to reduce the need for applicants to travel back to Kenya, saving time and resources.
