EACC: Taita Taveta CECM Faces Forged Degree Charges for KSh 6M Fraud

• The EACC has recommended criminal charges against a Taita Taveta County Executive Committee Member for using forged academic certificates.
• The official allegedly presented a fake Bachelor's degree in Project Planning and Management, purportedly from the University of Nairobi.
• The University of Nairobi confirmed that neither the degree nor transcripts were issued by their institution.
• The CECM fraudulently earned KSh 6,050,154.90 in salary between October 2025 and June 2026 due to the forged degree.
• The EACC forwarded its report to the DPP, recommending charges for fraudulent acquisition of public property and two counts of forgery.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the rigorous due diligence required in public sector appointments and the severe legal consequences for those who attempt to circumvent qualification standards through fraudulent means.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has formally recommended criminal charges against a high-ranking official within the Taita Taveta County government, following an investigation into the use of falsified academic credentials. This development centers on a County Executive Committee Member (CECM) accused of presenting a forged Bachelor's degree to secure her appointment, an act that subsequently led to the illicit receipt of KSh 6.05 million in public funds. The EACC's findings highlight a significant breach of public trust and a direct contravention of established appointment protocols.

Investigations by the Kenya EACC established that the official submitted a counterfeit Bachelor's degree in Project Planning and Management, purportedly issued by the University of Nairobi, during the vetting process for her position. This alleged use of forged academic certificates allowed her to assume a role for which she was not genuinely qualified. The commission's report explicitly states that the Taita Taveta CECM fraudulently earned a total salary of KSh 6,050,154.90 between October 2025 and June 2026, directly attributable to the fraudulent degree certificate.

The inquiry into the Taita Taveta CECM's qualifications was initiated following an anonymous report alleging that the official, who holds the portfolio for Lands, Physical Planning, Mining, and Urban Development, had falsified her academic background. This nomination by the Taita Taveta Governor, formalized on August 12, 2024, necessitated adherence to specific educational criteria. The County Governments Act stipulates a crucial degree requirement: any individual appointed to a county executive committee must possess at least a first degree from a university recognized within Kenya.

During her vetting, the official declared that she held a Bachelor's degree in Project Planning and Management, achieving a Second Class Honours Upper Division. She provided a copy of this certificate along with other supporting academic documents. However, the University of Nairobi, when contacted by the EACC, unequivocally confirmed that neither the presented degree certificate nor the associated academic transcripts had ever been issued by their institution, exposing the University of Nairobi fake degree as a central piece of the alleged deception.

The EACC concluded its investigation and, on August 4, 2026, forwarded its comprehensive report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Kenya, urging immediate legal action. The commission has recommended that the Taita Taveta CECM face charges for the fraudulent acquisition of public property, alongside two distinct counts of forgery. This aggressive stance by the EACC underscores its commitment to combating corruption and ensuring integrity in public service, particularly concerning the use of forged academic certificates.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the rigorous due diligence required in public sector appointments and the severe legal consequences for those who attempt to circumvent qualification standards through fraudulent means. The pursuit of charges for fraudulent acquisition of public property Kenya, in addition to forgery, highlights the multi-faceted legal ramifications faced by officials found to have used falsified credentials. The EACC's continued vigilance in such matters signals a clear message that securing public office through deceit will be met with robust prosecution.

This development underscores the EACC's continued vigilance and aggressive prosecution of public officials who secure appointments using falsified academic credentials. Lawyers advising individuals seeking public office or those involved in public sector recruitment should emphasize rigorous due diligence in verifying qualifications, as the legal consequences, including charges for fraudulent acquisition of public property and forgery, are severe and actively pursued by the EACC and DPP.

Source: Original reporting via Capital FM