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Over 2,000 public officers secured jobs using fake papers - PSC

Public Service Commission offices. (KNA)

By Lucy Mumbi | Tuesday, February 13, 2024

EACC noted that the law mandates them to recover all salaries and benefits earned by officers with fake academic qualifications.

Public Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday said over 2,000 public officers secured jobs, promotions and re-designations using fake papers.

The Commision said this while handing over a report on academic certificates in the public service to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

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Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), the Interior Ministry, and the geothermal agency were on the list of shame for having individuals with fake academic papers.

PSC Chairperson Anthony Muchiri said the Commission is handing over the academic certificates report findings to the EACC and Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) who will take legal action against the culprits.

“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 said.

The heads of the three institutions held a joint press briefing on Tuesday at Commission House in Nairobi.

EACC Chairperson David Oginde and DCI boss Mohamed Amin applauded PSC for taking a bold step in cleaning up the fake papers mess which has dented the image and effectiveness of the public service.

The bodies vowed to work together to weed out public officers with fake academic credentials.

“The effects of hiring unqualified employees decreases productivity and performance. It lowers the quality of work and hurts team morale,” Mohamed said.

In attendance were, EACC CEO Twahib Mbarak, EACC Director for Ethics and Leadership, John Lolkoloi, PSC Vice Chairperson Charity Kisotu, PSC Commissioner Mary Mwiandi, Deputy Commission Secretary Remmy Mulati, Directors and PSC Secretariat.

In the report, PSC listed eight common types that educational imposters use to secure jobs and promotions in public service.

They include uttering academic certificates that a person has not attained or been awarded, alteration of KCSE mean grades, forged KCSE certificates, and fake names on the certificates.

In addition, some candidates have never been registered in the institution that issued them a certificate and the certificate number does not belong to the alleged owner.

Further, some are said to have never sat for the exams or registered as candidates.

EACC noted that the law mandates them to recover all salaries and benefits earned by officers with fake academic qualifications.

In addition, the offenders are liable to criminal prosecution.

In October 2023, EACC was investigating 172 cases of alleged forgery of academic certificates.

EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi said the cases include senior officials in public service.

Ngumbi acknowledged that fake certificates are rampant in the country, noting that the prevalence is higher in the counties.