Chapter Six Clearance: The 5 Certificates

Most public-sector jobs in Kenya, and some private ones, ask candidates for five "Chapter Six" clearance certificates. The name comes from Chapter Six of the Constitution (Leadership and Integrity), which public officers must meet. Each certificate is issued by a different body:

When you need them

Check the advert. Adverts handle this in different ways:

• Some ask for the certificates with your application.
• Many ask only shortlisted candidates to bring them to the interview.
• Some ask only the successful candidate before appointment. A Kenya Railways advert in August 2026, for example, said only successful candidates would be asked for Chapter Six documents.

Because the certificate of good conduct alone can take weeks, it is worth starting it as soon as you begin applying for government jobs. The KRA certificate is valid for 12 months, so most candidates can keep one current.

1. Certificate of good conduct (DCI)

This is the police clearance certificate. To get it:

1. Log in to eCitizen and choose the DCI police clearance service.
2. Fill in the application and pay the fee shown on the invoice (KES 1,050 at the time of writing, including the eCitizen convenience fee).
3. Print the invoice (the C24 form) and book or attend a fingerprint capture at a DCI office or Huduma Centre.
4. When it is ready, download the certificate from your eCitizen account.

Processing usually takes a few weeks after fingerprinting. Employers generally want a certificate issued recently - often within the last six to twelve months - so check how old yours is before you rely on it.

2. HELB compliance or clearance certificate

The Higher Education Loans Board issues three different certificates:

• Compliance certificate - for loan beneficiaries who are up to date with repayments, or still in the grace period.
• Clearance certificate - for beneficiaries who have fully repaid their loan.
• Non-loanee compliance certificate - for people who never took a HELB loan. You still need this if an advert asks for HELB clearance.

Apply through the HELB portal or eCitizen after logging in to your HELB account. Check the fee shown on the portal before paying, since published guides disagree about it. HELB has warned that fake social media accounts are charging people for these certificates - use only HELB's official portal and channels.

3. KRA tax compliance certificate

The tax compliance certificate (TCC) shows that you have filed your returns and have no outstanding tax, or have an approved payment plan.

1. Log in to iTax with your KRA PIN and password. If you do not have a PIN, register for one first - it is free.
2. Open Certificates and choose the tax compliance certificate application.
3. Your details fill in automatically. Enter the reason for applying and submit.
4. KRA emails the certificate to the address on your iTax profile, so make sure it is current.

The TCC is free and valid for 12 months. If you have missed returns, file them (including nil returns) first - otherwise the application is held for review. Employers can confirm a certificate is genuine with the certificate checker on iTax.

4. EACC self-declaration (clearance) form

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission's clearance comes from its Self Declaration Form (Clearance Form), listed under statutory forms in the downloads section of eacc.go.ke. Download the current version, fill it in completely, and submit it the way the advert instructs - some employers forward it to EACC themselves, others ask you to send it.

5. Credit clearance report (CRB)

A credit reference bureau confirms whether you have defaulted on loans, including mobile loans. Kenya has three licensed bureaus: TransUnion, Metropol and Creditinfo. You can get your report and a clearance certificate directly from any of them; consumer guides quote about KES 2,200 for the certificate, but confirm the current price with the bureau.

If your report shows a default, pay or settle the debt with the lender first. Your record is then updated, which can take several working days, before a clean certificate can be issued.

A simple order to do them in

1. Today: apply for the certificate of good conduct, since it is the slowest.
2. This week: file any missing KRA returns, then apply for the TCC.
3. This week: request your HELB certificate and your CRB report.
4. When you apply: download and fill in the EACC form for the specific advert.

Keep scanned PDF copies of every certificate. Most government portals, such as the PSC jobs portal, ask you to upload documents rather than bring paper.

Sources

• The Star: PSC and Kenya Railways advertise new jobs (August 2026)
• KRA: tax compliance
• EACC: statutory forms and downloads
• Education News: HELB warns of fraudulent accounts selling clearance certificates

Frequently asked questions

What are the Chapter Six clearance certificates?+

They are five documents public-sector employers in Kenya ask for to confirm integrity under Chapter Six of the Constitution - a DCI certificate of good conduct, a HELB compliance or clearance certificate, a KRA tax compliance certificate, an EACC self-declaration (clearance) form, and a clearance report from a credit reference bureau.

Do I need the clearance certificates when I apply, or only if I am shortlisted?+

It depends on the advert. Many adverts ask only shortlisted or successful candidates to bring them, but some ask for them at application. Read the advert, and start the slow ones such as the certificate of good conduct early.

How long does a certificate of good conduct take?+

It usually takes a few weeks after your fingerprints are taken, so apply on eCitizen as soon as you start applying for public-sector jobs.

Is the KRA tax compliance certificate free?+

Yes. You apply for it on iTax at no cost, it is emailed to you, and it is valid for 12 months.

I never took a HELB loan. Do I still need a HELB certificate?+

Yes, if the advert asks for one. Non-beneficiaries apply for a non-loanee compliance certificate through the HELB portal or eCitizen.