The government has launched a new Multi-Biometric Identification System (MBIS) that is expected to reduce the processing time for police clearance certificates within 24 hours.
The system is set to cut the clearance processes from up to 14 days to as little as 24 hours, while enhancing the ability of investigators to identify suspects and manage criminal records.
The system, launched Thursday at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters along Kiambu Road in Nairobi, integrates fingerprint, palm-print, and facial recognition technologies into a single secure and scalable platform.
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen noted that the new system marks a major shift from traditional policing towards a modern, science- and technology-driven criminal justice system.
He reported that the system will increase the capacity of the biometric database from two million to 10 million records, while daily fingerprint searches will rise from about 4,500 to 20,000.
“That next step is the Multibiometric Identification System, MBIS,” stated Murkomen, stressing that the technology would enable faster identification, verification, and intelligence sharing.
Equally, the CS disclosed that the government is working towards integrating the system with the National Registration Bureau, the Judiciary, Immigration, and Interpol, subject to the necessary legislative and policy interventions.
The integration, he emphasised, would strengthen real-time intelligence sharing, improve cross-border cooperation, and make it harder for habitual offenders to evade detection.
Murkomen also announced plans to extend biometric enrollment services to police stations across the country, bringing the technology closer to members of the public and speeding up investigations.
The launch coincided with the handover of the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accreditation certificate to the Forensic Evidence Management Unit (FEMU), a milestone that officials said strengthens the integrity and credibility of forensic evidence used in criminal investigations and prosecutions.
The accreditation makes the FEMU at the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory Africa’s first internationally accredited forensic evidence management unit, according to officials at the ceremony.
Also speaking at the event, Inspector General (IG) of the National Police Service, Mr. Douglas Kanja, highlighted that the two milestones represented significant progress in the transformation of the country’s policing and criminal justice system.
He explained that the forensic laboratory had evolved into a critical component of modern criminal investigations by providing scientific and technical support to the National Police Service and other law enforcement agencies.
“The operational environment of police officers is becoming increasingly transnational and technology-driven. To respond effectively, policing must evolve accordingly,” the IG maintained.
On the other hand, Kanja said the ANAB accreditation confirms that the forensic laboratory’s evidence management processes meet international standards in competence, quality assurance, and evidence management.
He added that the development would contribute to stronger investigations and improved delivery of justice by ensuring that forensic evidence is handled professionally throughout the investigative process.
On his part, the Director of Criminal Investigations, Mohamed Amin, echoed that the two achievements demonstrated the National Police Service’s commitment to professional excellence, evidence-based investigations, and technological innovation.
Specifically, Amin pointed out that FEMU was established to safeguard the integrity of forensic exhibits throughout their lifecycle and maintain an unbroken chain of custody in line with international quality standards.
Likewise, he mentioned that the accreditation would enhance confidence in the reliability of forensic evidence, strengthen prosecutions, and reinforce public trust in the criminal justice system.
Notably, the DCI Director revealed that the new MBIS version 5 replaces the automated palm and fingerprint identification system that has served Kenya since 2016.
The new platform, he elaborated, combines fingerprint, palm-print, and facial recognition capabilities, enabling investigators to conduct faster and more accurate suspect identification and latent fingerprint analysis.
For the public, Amin reaffirmed that the system would translate into faster processing of police clearance certificates, with the turnaround time reduced from approximately 14 days to as little as one day under optimal operating conditions.
“The system will also support electronic applications, digital fingerprint capture, real-time status tracking, and online access to completed certificates,” he outlined.
In a quick rejoinder, the government, according to Murkomen, will continue investing in technology and institutional reforms as part of efforts to modernize the security sector and improve public service delivery.
In addition, he revealed that the government was also advancing plans to deploy an integrated command, control, and computation system, including CCTV surveillance in major urban centers, supported by facial recognition, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.
“The initiative is expected to strengthen crime prevention and response by enabling security agencies to analyse crime patterns and deploy interventions more effectively,” claimed the CS
Additionally, Murkomen disclosed that the government was also working towards the digitalization of police operations through initiatives such as the digital Occurrence Book, which would facilitate faster reporting and analysis of crime trends.
He further pledged government support to accelerate the full operationalization of the National Police Service Forensic Laboratory, saying efforts were underway to shorten the projected timeline for its full functionality.
Meanwhile, the ceremony brought together senior officials from the National Police Service, the DCI, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, development partners, and representatives of technology partners involved in the implementation of the new system.
The launch marks another milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to modernise policing through technology, strengthen forensic investigations, and improve the efficiency of security and justice services to Kenyans.
By Sharon Njeru and Zipporah Odionyi
