EACC To Hunt Down Govt Agencies Which Did Not Report Officers With Forged Certificates

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has announced that it will conduct investigations on claims that some state agencies have been protecting officers accused of forging academic certificates to obtain well-paying jobs.

In a statement on Thursday, February 15, the anti-corruption watchdog warned that it would take action against any head of state agency who refuses to alert the body of persons wielding fake academic certificates.

"The Commission is analyzing the PSC (Public Service Commission) Report on Authentication of Academic and Professional Certificates to inform relevant enforcement action against the 2,000 public officials who forged their academic certificates to secure employment. 

"The Commission will also investigate allegations it has received to the effect that some public entities didn't forward to the Public Service Commission all the names of their officers with forged certificates. Action will be taken against any culpable head of a state agency involved in attempts to protect academic cheats," stated EACC in part.

PSC Chairperson Anthony Muchiri had disclosed previously that over 2,000 public officers secured jobs, promotions, and re-designations using fake academic papers.

“According to the reports received by the Commission, there are substantial cases of forged academic and professional certificates used for the award of appointments, promotions, or re-designation in the public service,” Muchiri stated.

According to PSC, at least 331 institutions were targeted in the probe, of which 52 were ministries, State Departments, and Agencies.

EACC's vow came amidst its officials arresting a government official on Tuesday, February 13 for faking his academic certificate to obtain a well-paying job.

The official was an employee of the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), who forged a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate from Kimuri Secondary School.

He was arraigned before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) concurred with recommendations of the Commission to charge him with fraudulent acquisition of public property being Ksh293,240 salary paid to him by REREC, forgery and uttering a false document.

He was released on a bond of Ksh700,000, surety of the same amount or a cash bail of Ksh400,000.

The matter will be mentioned on February 26, 2024, for a pre-trial conference.