Govt Officials Arrested For Using Fake Academic Certificates To Earn Ksh17.9 Million

Three officials have been arrested in a widening crackdown on fake academic certificates, with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) accusing them of illegally pocketing more than Ksh17.9 million in salaries using forged documents.

In a statement on Tuesday, May 12, the EACC revealed that two employees of the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) and a staff member at Kaimosi Friends University had been charged or were awaiting arraignment over alleged certificate fraud.

The suspects were identified as Joshua Attuah Omia and Thomas Mbonje Bandari, both attached to the NCWSC, and Silas Musasa Masambu of Kaimosi Friends University.

According to the anti-graft agency, investigations established that Omia and Bandari forged Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificates and presented them as genuine documents from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to secure jobs at the water company.

The EACC disclosed that after completing investigations, the files were forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which approved charges including forgery, uttering false documents, and fraudulent acquisition of public property.

The Commission claimed Omia fraudulently received Ksh5.9 million in salaries, while Bandari allegedly pocketed Ksh9.4 million during their employment at the utility firm.

The two were arrested on May 11 and arraigned before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, where they denied the charges.

They were each released on a cash bail of Ksh300,000 or an alternative bond of Ksh1 million with a similar surety amount. The case will be mentioned on May 26 for directions.

In a separate case, EACC investigators accused Masambu of forging a diploma certificate purportedly from Kenya College of Commerce and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree allegedly from Zetech University to secure employment at Kaimosi Friends University.

The suspect was arrested at his home in Cheptulu, Vihiga County, and processed at Kakamega Police Station ahead of his arraignment at the Kakamega Law Courts on Wednesday, May 13.

The anti-graft body alleged that Masambu unlawfully earned Ksh2.5 million in salaries and benefits from the university using the fake academic qualifications.

EACC further warned that beyond criminal prosecutions, it would pursue civil proceedings to recover salaries, allowances, and other benefits obtained through forged certificates.

The arrests come amid a broader nationwide purge targeting public officials accused of using fake academic papers to secure employment and promotions in government institutions.