EACC steps up fight against fake academic certificates in public service
31:01:2025: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has arraigned five public officials in the last five days on various charges relating to the forgery of academic certificates, which they used to secure employment and promotions. The Commission’s investigations established that the accused, Kenneth Kiplangat Tonui, Joseph Kihara Kaburugu, Stacey Mwikali Mbati, Stephen Wanjohi Gichia, and Felix Ojwang Balamu, fraudulently obtained academic credentials to gain employment and/or career progression at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC). Kenneth Kiplangat Tonui, the Court was told, used a forged Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) to secure employment at IEBC. Appearing before Milimani Anti-Corruption Principal Magistrate Hon. Celesa Okore on January24th 2025, Tonui denied charges of forgery, deceiving the principal, uttering a false document, and the fraudulent acquisition of public property amounting to Kes9,281,655, being the cumulative salary paid to him by the IEBC. He was released on a bond of Kes500,000 with a surety of a similar amount or an alternative cash bail of Kes100,000. His case will be mentioned on February 6, 2025. Joseph Kihara Kaburugu, a Sports Supervisor at NCWSC, forged a Diploma Certificate in Sports Science Management from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT). He was arraigned on January 21, 2025 Chief Magistrate Hon. Harrison Barasa at Miliman Anti-Corruption Court, where he denied all the charges. The Court released him on a bond of Kes500,000 with a surety of a similar amount or an alternative cash bail of Kes100,000. His case will be mentioned on February 4th, 2025. Stacey Mwikali Mbati, an ICT Officer at NCWSC, used a forged Bachelor of Information Technology degree, which she claimed was issued by JKUAT. She was charge on January 23rd, 2025, with fraudulent acquisition of public property, forgery, uttering a false document, and deceiving the principal before Chief Magistrate Hon. Harrison Barasa. Mwikali pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on bond terms similar to those of the first two accused persons. The matter will be mentioned on February 5th, 2025. Stephen Wanjohi Gichia forged a KCSE certificate and purported it to be a genuine document issued by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), which he used to secure employment at NCWSC. Appearing before Milimani Anti-Corruption Principal Magistrate Hon. Celesa Okore on January28th 2025, Gichia denied the charges of forgery, deceiving principal, presentation of a forged certificate, and fraudulent acquisition of public property amounting to Kes8,352,704 being the cumulative salary paid to him by the NCWSC. He was released on a bond of Kes500,000 with a surety of a similar amount or a cash bail of Kes200,000. The case is scheduled for mention on 11th February 2025. Felix Ojwang Balamu on the other hand, forged a KCSE certificate, purported it to be a genuine document issued by KNEC, and used it to secure employment at NCWSC. Due to unavoidable circumstances, Mr. Balamu’s plea was postponed to a later date. When he finally takes the stand, he will plead to charges of fraudulent acquisition of public property amounting to Kes8,243,562, the cumulative salary paid to him by the NCWSC, forgery, deceiving principal, and presentation of a forged certificate.
High-impact investigations and asset recovery EACC’s new focus, Annual Report for FY2023/2024 shows
28:01:2025: EACC has filed 47 new civil suits to recover assets estimated at Kes9.2 billion and finalized and forwarded 126 investigation files on corruption, economic crimes, and unethical conduct to the Director of Public Prosecutions with recommendations to prosecute, the Commission’s Annual Report for the FY2023/2024 has revealed. Launched today at the Commission’s Headquarters in Nairobi, the Report also discloses that the Commission concluded 56 files on violations of Chapter Six of the Constitution and Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012, and recovered assets and unexplained wealth worth Kes2.9 billion and illegally held by public officers in the year under review. It also establishes that the Commission disrupted corruption networks and transactions through proactive investigations and averted a possible loss of public funds estimated at Kes2.9 billion. In ensuring compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution, EACC, the Report states, issued 712 compliance advisories, 20 cautions, and 12 notices to public entities and individuals. EACC, the Annual Report reveals, is currently pursuing over 400 cases for forfeiture of corruptly acquired assets valued at approximately Kes49.5 billion. Speaking during the launch, the Commission’s CEO, Mr Abdi A. Mohamud, said the Commission rationalized its strategies during the period under review to prioritize high-impact investigations, asset recovery, corruption prevention, and collaboration and partnerships. Mr Mohamud singled out the weak legal and policy framework for implementing Chapter Six of the Constitution and the inadequate commitment to accountability in public institutions as the main challenges to the Commission’s quest for a corruption-free society. He reaffirmed EACC’s commitment to fighting corruption and called on Kenyans to support the Commission in realizing its mandate. While equating the Report to an accountability statement of the Commission’s activities and programmes for the period under review, Chairperson, Dr. David Oginde said the launch of the Report is an accountability statement on the Commission’s activities and programmes for the year under review. “The launch provides a platform for the Commission to reflect on the state of corruption in the country, the grave harm it continues to do to the citizens, and the reform opportunities available to strengthen the anti-corruption interventions,” the Chairperson said and called for commitment and participation of all stakeholders in their critical roles in the anti-graft war. In that regard, Dr Oginde called on Parliament to strengthen the existing legal framework to address challenges that impede effective anti-corruption interventions. Particularly, the Chairperson called on the legislative arm of government to support the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2025 published by the Attorney General to address gaps and weaknesses in existing laws. He also called on the members of the public to discharge their civic responsibilities and support anti-corruption initiatives. To the media, the Chairperson appreciated their efforts to expose and stigmatize corrupt conduct. He also called upon family members to refuse to be enlisted in corrupt deals. He urged professionals, including lawyers, accountants, procurement and HR officers, to desist from deploying their expertise to facilitate the theft of public funds. EACC is obligated under Section 27 of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2011, and Section 45 of the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012, to prepare and submit its Annual Report describing its activities and Financial Statements.
EACC arrests impostors in Bungoma County
27: 01:2025: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has apprehended two individuals accused of impersonating senior EACC officials to defraud public officials and members of the public. The arrests were made today in Bungoma County following an operation conducted this morning. The suspects, 23-year-old Tobias Singila Wekesa and 26-year-old Sharon Nanjala Anyango, had been posing as EACC Directors with the alleged ability to terminate ongoing corruption cases in exchange for money. Wekesa, who claimed to be the “EACC Director in charge of the Kakamega Office”, a non-existent office, revealed he is a third-year student at Kibabii University. His accomplice, Anyango, posed as a senior EACC Director based in Nairobi and claimed to have graduated from Kibabii University in 2024. The duo was arrested at a National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) office where they had falsely claimed to be on an official investigation into the funds’ projects. They reportedly demanded a bribe of KES 150,000 from the complainants, promising to drop the alleged investigation and “forgive” them. Suspicious of their claims, the complainants alerted the EACC, which swiftly conducted an operation leading to the arrests. The suspects are currently in custody at the EACC Western Regional Offices in Bungoma, where they are recording statements. This incident is part of a broader pattern where fraudsters have exploited unsuspecting members of the public by impersonating EACC officials. The Commission has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected impostors immediately. Reports can be made via the toll-free number 1551 or email at report@integrity.go.ke . EACC has also encouraged anyone who the arrested suspects may have defrauded to come forward.
Court convicts four in the Sh550 million KPC procurement scandal
27:01:2025: The Anti-Corruption Court has convicted at least four of the 16 Accused persons in a procurement scandal at the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) that resulted in a loss of approximately Kes550 million in public funds. Chief Magistrate Hon. Felix Mutinda Kombo, sitting at Milimani, Nairobi, committed Fredrick Ogenga, Aero Dispenser Valves Ltd, Francis Omondi Obure, and Beryl Khasina, the 11th, 13th, 15th, and 16th accused persons respectively to a non-custodial sentence on January 24th, 2025. Ogenga, a KPC Procurement Officer II (Overseas Procurement), was fined Kes750,000, Aero Dispenser Valves Ltd was fined Kes3 million, Omondi and Ms Beryl Khasina, Directors of Aero Dispenser Valves Ltd were fined Kes500,000 each. Mr Ogenga was convicted in Count 2 for abuse of office, and the Court found the prosecution evidence to have established the charge beyond reasonable doubt. Ogenga, investigations established, conferred a benefit on Allied Inspection and Testing Company, which had not been awarded the tender. He sent the company a tender document through email concerning Tender No. SU/QT/3264f/14 for the supply of hydrant pit valves and two years of maintenance spares. He, thereafter, purported to communicate the Tender through a wrong email to Cla-val, the original manufacturer of the procured items, and the company that had won the tender. Aero Dispenser Valves Ltd and its two directors were convicted in Count 3 for engaging in a fraudulent procurement practice. The investigations established that they presented a false CR12 form purporting to be issued by the Company Registry. The Court found the charge to have been proved beyond reasonable doubt. EACC investigated allegations of corruption at Kenya Pipeline Company Limited regarding the procurement of hydrant pit valves complete with isolation valves and two years’ operating spares. Investigations established that procurement procedures were flouted through conspiracy and collusion between public officials at Kenya Pipeline Company Limited and private individuals and companies. This led to the loss of USD 4,354,516, equivalent to Kes550 million, from Kenya Pipeline Company Ltd. At least 18 suspects were charged. Later, Jim Yukes, a Canadian National, and his Company – Allied Inspection and Testing, were removed from the initial charge sheet by amendment, leaving 16 Accused persons. In a June 7, 2024 ruling, the Court found that the 1st to 7th, 9th, 10th, and 12th Accused persons had no case to answer and acquitted them under Section 210 of the CPC in Counts 1 and 5. That left five Accused persons: the 11th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th. The 14th Accused person was acquitted in the January 24th, 2025 judgment for lack of evidence.
EACC arraigns a DCI Officer for bribery
24:01:2025: A Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Officer pleaded not guilty to corruption-related charges today in a court in Mombasa after he was arrested and processed at the Port Police Station by the EACC officers. Before Chief Magistrate Hon. Alex Ithuku, Corporal Thomas Nahashon Kibet Minai faced three charges of receiving a bribe, requesting an advantage, and concealing evidence. In count one, the Court was told that Corporal Minai received a financial advantage of Kes10,000 on June 6th, 2018, at Changamwe Police Station in Mombasa with the intent that, in consequence, he would compromise an investigation leading to the termination of a criminal case. On the charge of requesting an advantage, the Court heard that the police officer requested Kes20,000 on the same date and venue to compromise investigations and cause the termination of the criminal case. The court was also told that the accused concealed Kes7,000 that he received from the complainant, knowing that it was relevant as evidence in an investigation being carried out by officers of the EACC. The accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was released on a cash bail of Kes100,000 or a bond of Kes300,000 with a surety of a similar amount. The matter will be mentioned on February 10th, 2025.
EACC arraigns IEBC employee for forgery of certificates
24:01:2025: A driver at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has today pleaded not guilty to the forgery of academic certificates. Before Principal Magistrate Hon. Celesa Okore at Milimani Law Courts, Kenneth Kiplagat Tonui was charged in the first count with fraudulent acquisition of public property where the court heard that Between May 2011 and March 2024, while employed by the IEBC as a driver, he fraudulently acquired Kes9,281,655 in salaries based on a forged Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). In count two, Mr. Tonui was charged with deceiving the principal. The Court was told that on or about January 25th, 2010, being a public officer employed at the then Interim Independent Electoral Commission as a driver, the accused stated in his records that he possessed a KCSE with a mean grade of D+ from Kamungei Secondary School, which information he knew to be false. He was charged in count three with forgery of KCSE Serial No. 2180752 and in count four with uttering a false document, being the KCSE, for purposes of being promoted from Driver Grade III to Driver Grade II. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The Court released him on a cash bail of Kes100,000 or a bond of Kes500,000 with a surety of a similar amount. The matter will be mentioned for pretrial directions on January 31st, 2025.
EACC unveils first Strategic Plan for its training wing
22:01:2025: The Chairperson of EACC Dr David Oginde has today unveiled the inaugural Strategic Plan for the National Integrity Academy (NIAca), the Commission’s training arm. Speaking at the launch at the Kenya School of Government, the Chairperson said the Strategic Plan serves as a dynamic blueprint for driving EACC’s mission in training, promoting ethics, and advancing good governance. “It stands as testament to the Commission’s steadfast commitment to promoting a culture of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in our society,” Dr. Oginde said. The plan focuses on three key pillars: quality training on ethics and anti-corruption, building the academy’s institutional capacity, and collaboration and coordination of stakeholders to enhance training. The Chairperson urged stakeholders to actively support the implementation of the Strategic Plan, noting that its success depends on translating goals into tangible actions. “To our partners and stakeholders, we invite you to journey with the Commission by offering your support and active participation to make the vision embodied in the Strategic Plan a reality,” he said. The Commission’s CEO, Mr Abdi A. Mohamud, represented by the Director of Investigations, Mr Pascal Mweu, hailed the Academy’s role in providing specialized ethics, integrity, leadership, good governance, and anti-corruption training to public and private sector institutions. Mr Mohamud expressed his confidence in the academy, noting that it had created an impact through specialized training for public officers in Kenya and the East African region. “This plan will guide us in building capacity, promoting a culture of transparency, and strengthening institutions to uphold the highest standards of accountability,” he noted. The CEO thanked all contributors, including the European Union, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and consultant Prof. Collins Odote, for supporting the Plan. Emphasizing collaboration as key to the Plan’s success, Mr Mohamud called on development partners to continue backing NIAca’s initiatives, adding that the unveiling of the Strategic Plan marks the beginning of a transformative journey towards a more transparent and just nation. The Director General of Kenya School of Government, Prof. Nura Muhammed, who also spoke during the launch, lauded the commission for establishing the academy, adding that the academy will go a long way in mainstreaming ethics and integrity in the public sector. Prof. Mohammed pledged his school’s commitment to partnering with the academy to ensure the full implementation of the strategy. “We are not here to snore; we are here to score, and as the African saying goes, a cat that aspires to be a lion must lose the appetite for rats,” he said. The academy will deliver specialized training to public and private sector institutions, equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to combat corruption and foster integrity. It offers a variety of tailor-made courses including Leadership and Integrity for Executive Managers, Corruption Prevention in Supply Management, Investigation Course for Law Enforcement Officers, and Ethics and Integrity Course for Education Managers among others. The launch of the academy’s strategic plan marks a milestone since the Academy’s establishment in 2018. This comprehensive blueprint aims to position NIAca as a centre of excellence in anti-corruption leadership, integrity, and governance training.
Enhancing strategic partnerships in the fight against corruption
21:01:2025: EACC CEO Mr Abdi A. Mohamud today hosted H.E. Neil Wigan, the British High Commissioner to Kenya, who paid a courtesy call on the Commission. The two leaders discussed various strategies for deepening the existing collaboration between Kenya and the UK in the fight against corruption, acknowledging the emerging challenges posed by trans-border crime. Some key collaboration areas explored in the meeting include capacity development for EACC staff and intelligence sharing to enhance the tracing and recovery of unexplained wealth and corruptly acquired assets. In his remarks, CEO Mohamud acknowledged the technical support that EACC has received from the UK over the years and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to pursuing public accountability in Kenya. On his part, the British High Commissioner reaffirmed the UK Government’s continued support for anti-corruption reforms in Kenya, including placing sanctions against individuals implicated in the theft of public funds.
Tana River County Officials arrested by EACC arraigned in Hola
17:01:2025: The eight Tana River County Government officials arrested yesterday by the EACC for procurement fraud have been charged today. Former Chief Officer for Public Service, Fatuma Zahra Adan; Principal, Supply Chain Management Officer, Abashora Swaleh Salad; Building Inspector, Ali Dhidha Hussein; Inspector, Roads and Public Works, Fatuma Napasha Hussein; Supply Chain Management Officers, Issa Funani Bere, Mohamed Nasteh Abdi, and Kevin Simiyu Wafula, and; Director Al-Karim Agencies, Idris Abdi Sigati were arraigned before Senior Principal Magistrate Hon. Edward Kiprono Too of Hola Law Courts. The eight, arrested yesterday and booked at the Malindi Police station, are among 14 County officials lined up for prosecution. They pleaded not guilty to all eight counts relating to willful failure to comply with procurement law, engaging in a project without prior planning, conspiracy to commit an offense of corruption, engaging in fraudulent practice, and forgery. EACC investigations established that the County Government of Tana River irregularly and fraudulently awarded the tender for fencing the Kenya Wildlife compound and staff quarters in Tana River County to Al-Karim General Construction Company Limited. Contrary to the law, the procurement was undertaken without a budget, a professional opinion, or a plan. Further, Al-Karim General Constructions used forged documents to win the tender and did not have the required qualifications for the tender award. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the Commission submitted the resultant file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who, upon independent review, concurred with the Commission’s recommendations to charge the 14 suspects. The accused persons denied all the charges and were each released on a Kes500,000 bond with a surety of a similar amount or alternative cash bail of Kes3 million each. Further, the Court also issued Summons for the remaining six persons who did not attend Court. They include the Directors of Al-Karim Agencies, Guyo Shora Guyo, Ali Dido Hidi, and Abdi Sheikh Dahir, and Nassir Guyo, a County Government Supply Chain Management Officer. The case will be mentioned on January 30th, 2025.
A former Senior Kisumu County Government official to be charged for forgery of academic certificates
14:01:2025: EACC has arrested the former Kisumu County Government Director of Information and Communication Technology for forging academic certificates. Mr Nick Odhiambo Migot, apprehended today, will face charges relating to the forgery of academic certificates and the use of fake academic certificates to secure employment with the County Government. The Commission will also seek to recover from him Kes4.7 million that he received through salary over three years that he worked for the County. Investigations revealed that Mr Migot forged a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Degree Certificate from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education purportedly issued by the Kenya National Examinations Council. He presented the fake documents to the County Public Service Board of Kisumu that interviewed him for the position. The resultant investigations report was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions who, after independent review, concurred with the Commission’s recommendation to charge Mr Migot with forgery, uttering a false document, and fraudulent acquisition of public property. The suspect is currently held at the Kisumu Central Police Station and will be arraigned tomorrow, January 15, 2025.