The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in Kenya has taken 90 cases involving forged academic certificates to court, with 43 convictions and 39 pending. This comes as a result of over 2,000 public officers being flagged for using fake academic and professional certificates to obtain government jobs, promotions, and re-designations. The issue has cost taxpayers millions of shillings and prompted the government to tighten verification systems.
In the 2025/2026 financial year, the EACC recovered Sh18.5 million that had been fraudulently paid to public officials through salaries linked to fake academic certificates and cases of double employment. Seven accused persons were acquitted, while one case was withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The financial cost of these cases has emerged as a major concern, with the government working to strengthen verification processes.
A consultative meeting was held at State House, chaired by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, involving the Public Service Commission (PSC), Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec), and the Ministry of Education. The meeting aimed to discuss the integration of academic qualification authentication systems ahead of the examination period and the 2027 General Election. Koskei criticised institutions for failing to take decisive action despite repeated concerns raised by President William Ruto.
During the meeting, PSC chairperson Francis Meja called for the integration and streamlining of systems used to authenticate academic credentials. This move would protect the integrity of recruitment while promoting professionalism, competence, and merit. The meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba and Knec Chairperson Julius O. Nyabundi.
One recent case involved former Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) official David Mogire Nyabuti, who used a forged Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate and result slip to gain admission to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company Training School. He later secured employment at KenGen, earning salaries and benefits totalling Sh14,946,118.82. Nyabuti was convicted of fraudulently acquiring the money and ordered to refund it or serve five years in prison.
Other cases have involved officials using forged qualifications to move into senior positions after already entering public service. Martin Maigua Maina forged a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science to obtain a promotion at IEBC, while Jecinter Hezron Adoyo was accused of forging academic documents from the University of Nairobi to obtain employment at the Commission on Revenue Allocation.
The government is working to strengthen verification processes, with the integration of academic qualification authentication systems expected to promote professionalism and merit in public service. The EACC and other agencies are working together to tackle the issue of fake certificates and ensure that individuals serving in positions of responsibility possess genuine and duly authenticated credentials.
Key points
- The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has taken 90 cases involving forged academic certificates to court, with 43 convictions and 39 pending.
- Over 2,000 public officers have been flagged for using fake academic and professional certificates to obtain government jobs, promotions, and re-designations.
- The government has recovered Sh18.5 million that had been fraudulently paid to public officials through salaries linked to fake academic certificates and cases of double employment.
