The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has raised concern over escalating cases of forgery of academic certificates.
The anti-graft agency said workers are forging academic certificates to secure employment and job promotions, especially in the counties.
“This trend is appalling and if untamed, it could adversely affect the national economy and compromise the integrity of Kenya's education system which is currently rated highly at the global and regional levels,” EACC said.
EACC said it is investigating over 150 cases of forgery of academic certificates held by persons serving in the public service while 13 cases are pending before court.
“In some cases, accused persons have been jailed or fined while in others, EACC has been granted orders by the Court to recover all the salaries and benefits earned based on forged academic certificates,” the agency added.
EACC said employers, just like universities and colleges, bear significant blame for the menace.
“Some workers secure employment, promotions or university admissions using fake certificates with the full knowledge and/or support of their employers or universities, as the case may be,” the commission said in a statement.
In a circular dated November 26 2022 to all university Vice Chancellors, chairpersons of University Councils, Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Principal Secretary- Higher Education, Commission for University Education and Kenya National Qualifications Authority, EACC raised concerns over the high magnitude of academic fraud and called for concerted efforts among stakeholders to curb the menace.
EACC promised to continue to investigate and recommend the prosecution of suspects of academic fraud.
It said investigations will be in addition to recovering any salaries and benefits to public officials accruing from employment on fake academic qualifications.
