EACC arrests five civil servants over forged academic credentials in crackdown on fake certificates
The suspects, comprising current and former employees of various public institutions, are accused of using falsified academic qualifications to secure employment and promotions.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested five civil servants in separate cases as part of a continued crackdown on the use of fake academic certificates to gain jobs and promotions in public service.
The suspects, comprising current and former employees of various public institutions, are accused of using falsified academic qualifications to secure employment and promotions, resulting in fraudulent acquisition of public funds amounting to tens of millions of shillings.
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In a statement, the commission's CEO, Abdi Mohamud, said the arrests follow investigations by the commission into reports received from members of the public and various public institutions.
Upon conclusion of investigations, the commission submitted case files to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which approved charges against the suspects, including IEBC's Priscah Osotsi, an assistant election officer at the IEBC.
She is accused of forging a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management, purporting it to be issued by Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
EACC investigations confirmed that the certificate she presented for a promotion was forged.
Released on cash bail
She was arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, where she was charged with various offences, including forgery and uttering a false document. She denied charges and was released on a Sh200,000 cash bail or an alternative bond of Sh800,000.
Vincent Tom Kemoli, an assistant at the NSDCC (formerly the National AIDS Control Council), is accused of forging a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from the University of Nairobi.
The forged certificate was allegedly used to secure employment at the Council.
"As a result, Mr Kemoli fraudulently received sh16,495,296.72 in salaries.
He is scheduled to be arraigned in court today, 11 June 2025, and will face charges of fraudulent acquisition of public funds, deceiving a principal, forgery, and uttering a false document," the statement shows.
Margaret Wanja Muthui, a former Deputy Director of Supply Chain Management at KeRRA, allegedly used forged academic credentials to secure employment and maintain her position.
Investigations revealed that she presented a forged Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and later submitted another forged degree in Business Administration from Kenya Methodist University during internal disciplinary proceedings.
"As a result, the suspect fraudulently received Sh40,329,379.65 in salaries. She was arrested on 11 June 2025 and is set to appear in court on 12 June 2025. She will face charges of fraudulent acquisition of sh40,329,379.65, deceiving a principal, forgery, and uttering false documents," the commission said.
On his part, Elijah Muthoga Kirethi, a former driver at KMTC, was arrested for allegedly forging a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) indicating he sat for exams at Muhoya High School in 2003.
The forged certificate was allegedly used to gain employment at KMTC in 2018.
Kirethi faces charges of fraudulent acquisition of public property, forgery, and presentation of a forged KCSE certificate contrary to the Kenya National Examination Council Act.
He has been released on a Sh50,000 cash bail and is set to appear in court on Monday, 16 June 2025.
Kelly Gichuri Muiruri Muiruri is alleged to have forged a KCSE certificate from Muhuri Muchiri Secondary School and used it to gain employment as a driver at the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC). EACC investigations established that he fraudulently earned Sh6,742,673.00 in salaries based on the forged qualifications.
He was arrested on 10 June 2025 and released on a cash bail of Sh100,000. He is set to be arraigned on Monday, 16 June 2025, on charges of fraudulent acquisition of public property, forgery, and uttering false documents.
In addition to the criminal proceedings, the Commission will initiate civil recovery processes in court to recover all salaries, allowances, and benefits fraudulently acquired by the suspects.
"The Commission reiterates its firm commitment to protecting the integrity of public service by ensuring that employment and promotions are based on merit and genuine qualifications. The Commission urges all public institutions to enhance verification and vetting procedures for academic credentials during recruitment and promotion processes," the CEO said.
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