The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has raised concerns about the increasing cases of forgery and falsification of academic certificates in the country.
The EACC through a circular released on Tuesday, October 18, addressed to University Vice Chancellors, Chairpersons of University Councils, Commission for University Education, and the Kenya National Examinations Council asked the relevant stakeholders to take measures in taming the vice.
According to the anti-graft commission, if the forgery and falsification of academic certificates is left unchecked, it will directly threaten the integrity of Kenya’s educational system and undermine the value of public service.
“It is therefore important that concerted efforts that bring on board all concerned stakeholders be embarked upon, to seek a lasting solution on how these vices can be curbed,” part of the circular signed by Abdi Mohamud, deputy CEO, EACC, reads.
Moreover, the commission noted that it had identified several widespread irregularities, including the alteration of KCSE certificate grades to gain admission to graduate and postgraduate programs in universities.
Likewise, EACC noted another frequent forgery involving the alteration of names on legitimate certificates, to allow one pass as someone else when applying for admission or jobs.
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Similarly, there have been cases where documents from a student’s file or admission records have vanished, making it difficult for law enforcement to conduct investigations.
Nonetheless the EACC has made some recommendations to stop forgery and falsification of academic certificates. They include establishing and implementing mechanisms to ensure the validity of academic records submitted by applicants for different programs.
“Where such mechanisms exist, measures should be put in place to strengthen them and make the verification system foolproof,” the circular reads.
Furthermore, the anti-graft commission noted that interlinking the systems for archiving academic records is necessary to increase other stakeholders’ access to them.
Additionally, all stakeholders will be required to apprise the EACC on all the measures considered in implementing the advisory.
