MULTI-AGENCY COMMITTEE ON POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATES HOLDS MEETING

By Phillip Kitili

A committee tasked with looking into the possibility of issuing police clearance certificates to rehabilitated ex-offenders is currently reviewing global good practices, current legal frameworks and challenges as efforts to help reformed inmates acquire nil certificates of good conduct gathers pace.

Speaking during a meeting with members of the committee on police clearance certificates for rehabilitated ex-offenders, Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco said the current framework of issuing police clearance certificates lacks provisions for facilitating the rehabilitation of ex-offenders.

The committee is expected to among others develop a comprehensive legal framework for record sealing, review existing legislations and guide on institutionalization of aftercare programs.

While Kenya’s current legal framework provides for the collection of forensic evidence and the issuance of police clearance certificates, it does not sufficiently address the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders particularly with regards to the record sealing of criminal records. The limitation prevents ex-offenders from obtaining police clearance certificates that are free from past criminal records.