Ex-Nairobi senatorial aspirant jailed over forged certificates, ordered to refund Sh3.9 million
Gabriel Bukachi Chapia, who vied for the Nairobi Senate seat on an ODM ticket in 2017, admitted to forging a Master's degree in Information Technology from Daystar University, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Maseno University, and additional certificates from the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru.
Former Nairobi senatorial aspirant Gabriel Bukachi Chapia has been sentenced to two and a half years in jail or a fine of Sh150,000 after the Anti-Corruption Court found him guilty of forging academic certificates and fraudulently securing top public service jobs.
Delivering the ruling at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Law Courts, Senior Principal Magistrate Charles Ondieki also ordered Chapia to refund Sh3.9 million he illegally earned from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) and the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest).
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"The accused is sentenced to pay a fine of Sh30,000 on each of the five counts, in default of which he shall serve six months in prison per count," ruled Ondieki.
As part of the plea bargain entered with the prosecution, the court directed Chapia to compensate MTRH and KenInvest a combined Sh3,917,102.56, inclusive of 12 per cent interest.
He was ordered to pay Sh2 million within seven days and clear the remaining balance in quarterly instalments of Sh239,637.82; failure to which he will result in an additional 12-month jail term.
Chapia, who vied for the Nairobi Senate seat on an ODM ticket in 2017, admitted to forging a Master's degree in Information Technology from Daystar University, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Maseno University, and additional certificates from the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru.
Investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) revealed that he used forged credentials to secure senior positions at MTRH in 2009, KenInvest in 2010, and later at the Nairobi County Government in 2014.
The conviction came after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) made an unsuccessful bid in October 2024 to terminate the trial under Section 87(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code, despite 14 witnesses having testified.
EACC opposed the application, with the court ruling that dropping the case would undermine public interest.
In his sentencing remarks, Magistrate Ondieki acknowledged Chapia's remorse, his plea bargain, and the fact that he was a first offender, but stressed that the offences had far-reaching implications on public trust.
"This court has considered the seriousness of the offences and their negative implication on public good.
However, being a first offender who has shown deep remorse, the court concurs with the recommended non-custodial sentence," said Ondieki.
EACC welcomed the judgment, terming it a landmark victory in the fight against fraud in public service.
The ruling marks the conclusion of one of the longest-running academic fraud cases since it was first reported to EACC in 2017, highlighting judicial resolve to protect public resources.
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