Applying for a Kenyan police clearance certificate while living outside the country can be completed through e-Citizen and Kenya’s diplomatic missions, with fingerprints submitted to Kenya for processing.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has explained the procedure for Kenyans living abroad, foreigners who previously lived in Kenya and are now outside the country, and foreigners currently residing in Kenya.
The process is handled by the Forensic Fingerprint Identification Bureau, a unit under the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory responsible for fingerprint analysis for identification purposes.
Kenyans living outside Kenya
Kenyans residing abroad are required to log into their e-Citizen accounts and apply for the police clearance service.
After making the required payment, applicants download their application forms and present themselves at the Kenyan embassy, High Commission or consulate in the country where they are residing.
Their fingerprints are captured at the diplomatic mission and submitted to Kenya through the diplomatic bag.
Once the fingerprints reach the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, they are received and forwarded for fingerprint analysis.
“After analysis, we generate the certificates online through the same e-Citizen,” the official explained.
Foreigners who previously lived in Kenya
Foreign nationals who previously resided in Kenya but are now outside the country follow a slightly different process.
They must provide documentation showing their immigration status in Kenya. The documents may include a work permit, dependant pass, diplomatic pass, student pass or another document authorised by the immigration department.
Applicants who do not have an e-Citizen account must first create one before accessing the DCI service.
They then upload the relevant immigration documents under the appropriate category. After the application is approved by DCI headquarters, the applicant makes the required payment and downloads the application forms together with the payment receipt.
The applicant then visits a Kenyan embassy, High Commission or consulate for fingerprint capture.
The fingerprints are subsequently sent to Kenya through the diplomatic bag for analysis, after which the police clearance certificate is generated online with the relevant remarks.
Foreigners currently living in Kenya
Foreign nationals who are currently in Kenya also begin the process through e-Citizen by uploading valid documentation showing their immigration status.
After approval by the DCI, the applicant makes the required payment and presents themselves at any Huduma Centre in Kenya for fingerprint capture.
The fingerprints are then processed by the forensic fingerprint unit before the certificate is generated.
Police clearance services at Nairobi International Trade Fair
The DCI is also offering the service at the Nairobi International Trade Fair at Jamhuri Showground this week.
According to the official, applicants of all nationalities can access the service at the event.
The DCI is using its newly launched biometric and identification system to capture fingerprints and generate police clearance certificates in real time.
The official urged applicants who require the service to visit the Jamhuri Showground during the trade fair.