Kenyans have, for years, wondered why the government requires them to pay a Ksh 1,050 fee even when they can prove that they are innocent.
Worry no more. Taking to social media on Wednesday, the office of the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI) explained that the fee does not go towards proving that they are innocent.
In order for the public to get the physical proof, however, there are transactional costs that have to be accounted for.
"Please note that you do not have to pay to prove your innocence. However, if you need to have the certificate as tangible proof, then you must pay that Government service fee to facilitate all the processes involved. The resources involved are at a cost," read part of a statement from the DCI.
They even likened the transaction to that of a bank transaction where a service is charged for them to get the withdrawal.
The DCI was responding to an inquiry launched by a user demanding to understand why he is charged just to obtain the Police Clearance - Certificate of Good Conduct.
"For instance, when requesting a bank statement for your money from any bank that service is charged yet the money belongs to the customer," continued the statement.
According to the country's laws, members of the public are required to renew the document every year and it costs the same every time.
Police Spokesman Charles Owino told this writer that it is necessary for the certificate to be renewed yearly "because good conduct changes with time."
Ideally, the certificate of good conduct takes between two weeks and one month to process after which it should be ready for pick-up at the DCI Headquarters, Nairobi.
The certificate is also obtained through the eCitizen platform alongside other services such as Passport application and company registration.
