The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Tuesday revealed that it is investigating 150 cases of public servants believed to have forged their academic certificates.
During the launch of its Anti Graft Plan for the period starting 2023 through to 2028 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the commission highlighted that forgery of academic certificates has become a rampant issue prompting the agency to launch a crackdown.
‘’EACC is investigating over 150 cases of forgery of academic certificates held by persons serving in the public service while 13 cases are pending before courts,’’ the agency said in a statement.
The Twalib-Mbarak-led agency further noted that investigations into other cases had already been completed and the accused persons will be prosecuted, jailed and the illegally acquired assets recovered from them.
‘’In some cases, accused persons have been jailed or fined while in others, EACC has been granted orders by the Court to recover all the salaries and benefits earned based on forged academic certificates,’’ the commission added in its statement.
Cases of forgery of academic certificates spiked in the run-up to the last general elections as aspirants were put on the spot over the vice.
Due to the rampant nature of the vice, the commission has advised employers to do thorough checks on their recruits to avoid falling prey to con artists.
‘’The EACC highlights the widespread issue of forgery of academic certificates and calls for stronger background checks by employers, internal controls by universities, and adherence to established standards by learning institutions,’’ the commission emphasized.
During the launch, the commission also highlighted that it has scaled up the fight against corruption.
‘’The Commission made significant strides in all its areas of mandate, namely, law enforcement, corruption prevention, education, and promotion of ethical standards,’’ the commission observed.
In its report for the period starting 2018 to 2023, EACC revealed it had recovered assets worth Ksh 28 billion and prevented the theft of Ksh 39.2 billion by corrupt persons.
The event was attended by EACC Chairperson Dr. David Oginde, CEO Twalib Mbarak, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu, and a host of senior Judiciary officials.
