EACC Arraigns 2 Over Forged Certificates, Ksh15.86 Million Salary Fraud
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The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arraigned two former employees of public institutions over allegations of forging and presenting academic certificates to secure employment.
In a statement on Wednesday, August 12, the agency said the suspects, John Murira Mwicigi, a former Security Supervisor at Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC), and Kevine Agweyo Okullo, a former Technician at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, appeared separately before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on Wednesday and denied the charges.
"The suspects, John Murira Mwicigi, a former Security Supervisor at Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC), and Kevine Agweyo Okullo, a former Technician at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, were arraigned separately today at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court and denied the charges," the statement read.
According to investigations by the EACC, Mwicigi allegedly presented a forged Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate purportedly issued by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), indicating that he had studied at Githaiga Secondary School despite not being a student there.
The commission said Mwicigi used the alleged forged certificate to obtain employment at NCWSC and subsequently received salaries amounting to Ksh15.86 million between 2007 and December 2023, which the EACC considers fraudulent acquisition of public property.
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"Following investigations, EACC forwarded the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which concurred with the Commission’s recommendation to charge Mwicigi with fraudulent acquisition of public property, forgery and uttering a false document," the statement added.
In the second case, Okullo is accused of submitting a forged Certificate in Refrigeration Grade II Trade Test, purportedly issued by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), while applying for a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technician position at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital.
"He was charged with providing false information, forgery and uttering a false document," the statement further read.
The EACC said the two suspects were each released on Ksh100,000 cash bail or a Ksh1 million bond with a surety of a similar amount.
This comes days after a former Deputy Director of Audit at the Office of the Auditor General was charged over allegations that she used a forged university degree certificate to secure employment and rise through the ranks in the public service.
In a statement on Friday, August 7, EACC said Hannah Wambui Mwaura was arrested following investigations over the alleged use of fraudulent academic qualifications, with the commission claiming she unlawfully earned more than Ksh28 million in salaries during her tenure.
"The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested the suspect on 4 August 2026 and booked her at the Integrity Centre Police Station before releasing her on a police cash bail of Kes100,000 pending arraignment," the statement read.
According to EACC, investigations established that the Office of the Auditor General advertised the position of Assistant Manager – Audit in July 2013, requiring applicants to have at least eight years of audit experience, a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university, a Master of Business Administration or a related qualification, as well as professional accounting credentials.
The agency said its investigations found that Mwaura submitted a forged Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Option), Second Class Honours (Upper Division) degree certificate, purportedly issued by Mount Kenya University on August 20, 2010, in support of her application.
EACC alleged that the document enabled her to secure the position and later earn promotion to Deputy Director of Audit.
It further claimed she received Ksh28,468,754.14 in salaries between February 3, 2013 and May 23, 2024 through the alleged fraudulent employment.
The suspect was arraigned before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, where she pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The court released her on a cash bail of Ksh450,000 or a bond of Ksh1 million with a surety of a similar amount as the case proceeds.
"The Commission will institute civil proceedings to recover salaries and benefits unlawfully obtained through fraudulent academic qualifications," the statement concluded.
Reporting originally appeared via Nairobi Leo. Read the full source for additional context.