Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) will launch a new Multi-Biometric Identification System (MBIS)-Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) Version 5 on Monday, a move aimed at significantly reducing the time it takes to process Certificates of Good Conduct.
The investigative agency said the upgraded biometric platform represents a major step in modernising its services by improving the accuracy and speed of biometric identification. The system is expected to shorten waiting periods and deliver more reliable processing for thousands of Kenyans applying for the clearance certificate.
The Certificate of Good Conduct is one of Kenya’s most frequently requested government documents. It is commonly required for employment, university admissions, immigration processes, and other official applications.
Currently, applicants submit their requests through the government’s eCitizen platform, pay a processing fee of KSh1,050 (about US$8), and visit a Huduma Centre or a designated DCI office for fingerprint capture. Processing typically takes between two and four weeks.
According to the DCI, the launch of MBIS-ABIS Version 5 is expected to significantly reduce these processing times by enhancing biometric matching and streamlining the verification process, providing applicants with a faster and more efficient service.
The upgrade comes amid growing demand for Certificates of Good Conduct and forms part of Kenya’s broader Digital Superhighway initiative, a government programme focused on digitising public services and improving service delivery through technology.
The DCI said the new biometric system marks an important milestone in the country’s efforts to modernise public administration while enhancing the efficiency and reliability of identity verification services.
