Kenya Certificate of Good Conduct: How to Apply and Requirements

Got a job offer, a tender or a visa application that needs a “good conduct”? You are not alone. The Certificate of Good Conduct, now officially called the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), is one of the most requested documents in Kenya. Employers, government offices, embassies and NGOs ask for it during vetting.

The certificate is issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) after a search of your fingerprints against its criminal records. The whole application is done on eCitizen. You only go in person to have your fingerprints taken.

Requirements for Kenyan Citizens

• An eCitizen account.
• Your original Kenyan National ID card and a photocopy.
• The fee of KES 1,050, paid on eCitizen (M-PESA or card).
• Two printed copies of the eCitizen payment invoice.
• One printed copy of the C24 fingerprint form, printed on both sides of one A4 sheet.

How to Apply for a Certificate of Good Conduct

1. Log in to eCitizen and open the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) service.
2. Choose Police Clearance Certificate and fill in the application form.
3. Pay KES 1,050 using M-PESA or a bank card.
4. Download and print two copies of the invoice and the C24 fingerprint form (both sides on one A4 paper).
5. Take the printed C24 form, the invoices and your original ID to a fingerprint centre. You can go to DCI Headquarters on Kiambu Road, Nairobi, a regional DCI office, or a Huduma Centre that offers fingerprinting. You no longer need to book a fingerprinting date first.
6. Your fingerprints are taken and sent to DCI for processing.
7. You get an SMS and/or email when the certificate is ready.
8. Log in to eCitizen and download your certificate. Print a few copies.

Applying Outside Nairobi

The steps are the same. Apply and pay on eCitizen, then take your documents to the nearest regional DCI office or Huduma Centre that does fingerprinting. When the certificate is ready, you download it from eCitizen like everyone else.

What If You Have Lost Your ID?

You need your original ID to be fingerprinted. If it is lost, report the loss at a police station first, then apply for a replacement. See our guide on how to replace a lost Kenyan ID. Ask the fingerprint centre before you go whether they will accept any temporary document you hold.

Tips and Warnings

At DCI Headquarters, fingerprinting has been reported to run from 7am to 3pm. Go early to beat the queue.

Download your certificate as soon as it is ready. DCI has said certificates stay on your eCitizen account for only a limited time (six months), so save a PDF and keep printed copies.

Only pay through eCitizen. Anyone offering to “fast-track” your good conduct for an extra fee is a conman.

• Kenyans living abroad: read Kenya Police Certificate of Good Conduct for Nationals Abroad.
• Foreigners who lived in Kenya: read Kenya Police Certificate of Good Conduct for Relocated Foreigners.

Sources and useful links

• eCitizen portal
• Kenya High Commission London: Certificates of Police Clearance
• Citizen Digital: DCI says booking a fingerprint appointment is not necessary
• Eastleigh Voice: Police clearance certificates at select Huduma Centres (Sept 2025)