Chapter Six clearance certificates
How to Get a CRB Clearance Certificate in Kenya
Get a CRB clearance certificate from Metropol, TransUnion or Creditinfo. How to check whether you are listed, how to clear a defaulted loan (including mobile loans) and your rights under the CRB rules.
- Time needed
- Usually a few days
- Cost
- First application should be free
- Valid for
- Employers usually want a recent one
- Where
- Online, from any licensed Credit Reference Bureau
What you need
- Your National ID number and phone number
- Your email address
- Proof of payment or settlement for any defaulted loan
Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs) keep records of how people repay loans, including bank loans, SACCO loans and mobile loans such as M-Shwari, Fuliza and app loans. A CRB clearance certificate shows that you have no negative listing for unpaid debt. Public bodies ask for it as part of Chapter Six integrity checks, especially for senior and finance roles.
Where to get it
Kenya has three credit reference bureaus licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya. A clearance certificate from any one of them is accepted:
- Metropol CRB
- TransUnion Kenya
- Creditinfo Kenya
Step 1: Check whether you are listed
Before applying, check your credit report. Under the Credit Reference Bureau Regulations, 2020, you are entitled to a free credit report from each bureau once a year. Most bureaus let you request it online or by SMS/USSD using your ID number. The report shows any loan reported as unpaid, the lender and the amount.
Step 2: Clear any defaulted loans
- Contact the lender named on your report and pay or settle the debt, or agree a payment plan.
- Ask the lender for a letter or statement confirming settlement.
- The lender must update the bureau. If your report has not changed after a reasonable time, send the settlement proof to the bureau and ask it to update your record.
If a listing is wrong (for example, a loan you never took or one already paid), you can dispute it with the bureau. Under the 2020 rules, a lender must give you 30 days' written notice before listing you, and debts below KSh 1,000 should not be reported as negative information.
Step 3: Apply for the clearance certificate
- Go to the official website of your chosen bureau and choose the personal clearance certificate option.
- Fill in your details and pay any fee shown. Under the 2020 regulations, your first application for a clearance certificate should be free; repeat applications may be charged.
- If you have no negative listing, the certificate is issued and emailed to you.
Beware of "CRB clearing" scams
Nobody can remove a genuine listing for a fee. People who promise to "clean your CRB name" or "remove you from CRB" are scammers. Use only the bureaus' official websites, and deal with the lender directly.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a CRB clearance certificate in Kenya?
Under the Credit Reference Bureau Regulations, 2020, your first application for a clearance certificate should be free. Later applications may carry a fee, shown on the bureau's website.
Which CRB should I use?
Any of the three licensed bureaus: Metropol, TransUnion or Creditinfo. Employers accept a certificate from any of them.
Can a small mobile loan get me listed on CRB?
Yes, mobile loans are reported to CRBs. Under the 2020 rules, debts below KSh 1,000 should not be reported as negative information, and the lender must give you 30 days' notice before listing you.
How long does it take to clear my name after paying a loan?
It depends on how quickly the lender updates the bureau. Keep proof of payment and follow up with both the lender and the bureau if your report is not updated.
Processes and fees change from time to time. Always follow the instructions on the official website, and never pay anyone who offers to "speed up" a clearance for you.