Days after the Public Service Commission – PSC released a damning report indicating that more than two thousand civil servants have forged academic certificates, different state agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations – DCI have swung into action.
On Thursday, February 15, the DCI arrested a government official, suspected to have used fake credentials to get a job in the Ministry of Education.
According to DCI, Joash Kimurgor Kirwa, was apprehended for allegedly using counterfeit academic and professional certificates to obtain employment and promotions.
“Joash Kimurgor Kirwa who was wanted for the offence of Forgery of Academic Certificates vide DCI HQ INQ. 16 of 2024 was arrested at Waitaluk location within Trans Nzoia County, ” DCI stated.
At the same time, DCI indicated that it was the start of a crackdown on state quacks masquerading as professionals and drawing salaries.
Detectives stated that his arrest was successful through coordinated efforts in Waitaluk location within Trans Nzoia County.
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Investigations into his activities revealed that he had falsified a degree certificate from Moi University, along with academic transcripts, in order to secure a position within the Ministry of Education State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
“The suspect forged a Moi University degree certificate as well as academic transcripts which he used to secure employment with the Ministry of Education State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET),” said DCI.
He took plea and was required to pay a cash bail of Ksh200,000 before his mention of pre-trial proceedings on February 26, 2024.
“He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a Ksh200,000 cash bail, with the mention for pre-trial scheduled for February 26, 2024.”
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What prompted DCI on Civil Servants
In its report, DCI highlighted a staggering 1,280 cases of forged certificates originating from 91 public institutions, as well as 787 cases from various ministries, state departments, and agencies.
In response to these findings, the DCI and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) were tasked with taking appropriate action against those implicated.
According to the PSC boss, the falsification of academic documents affected government’s plan of exporting labor and making deals with other nations.
“Falsification of academic certification has far-reaching implication on service delivery by public institutions. At a time when the government is reaching out to various countries with a view to exporting labor,”
“PSC calls on the Judicial Service Commission, the National Police Service Commission, the Teachers Service Commission and the Parliamentary Service Commission to undertake the exercise PSC has undertaken, Moreso the devolved governments,” said PSC Chairperson, Ambassador Antony Muchiri.
