The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) manager for Lari in Kiambu County has been arrested for allegedly using forged academic credentials to secure her position.
Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) apprehended the suspect on Wednesday, accusing her of fraudulently obtaining employment.
According to the EACC, investigations revealed that the woman presented a counterfeit Bachelor’s degree purportedly from Moi University, along with a forged Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate from Kahuhia Girls High School.
The arrest marks another step in the commission’s ongoing efforts to crack down on employment fraud in public offices.
The official is accused of fraudulently earning up to Sh2.2 million in wages, even after getting the job without the necessary qualifications.
“EACC has today arrested the Lari Constituency Fund Manager at the National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF). The arrest follows an allegation that she had used forged academic documents to secure her position,” EACC officers said.
“As a result of her fraudulent appointment, the manager unlawfully received Sh2,229,123 in salary payments drawn from public funds,” the detectives added.
In a statement, the detectives revealed that the case file had already been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) following the completion of investigations.
Upon receiving the case file, the DPP went ahead to approve the prosecution of the suspect for fraudulent acquisition of public property, forgery, and uttering false documents. The suspect, who is currently under police custody, is set to be arraigned soon to face charges.
In Kenya, forging academic papers can have severe consequences, including imprisonment under the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum sentence of three years for people found guilty of forgery.
Meanwhile, in a similar incident in March this year, EACC officers arrested Huruma Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) for allegedly being involved in forgery and providing false information.
According to the investigators, the MCA claimed to hold a diploma from Kenya Polytechnic, which the detectives found out to be false, with the suspect also accused of providing wrong information in declaration forms.
Investigations further revealed that the MCA also forged the signature and stamp impression of an Advocate and Commissioner for Oaths. He was arrested and taken to the Integrity Centre Police Station.
