(EACC) calls for the sacking of a senior official at the Ministry of Roads over alleged forgery of academic certificates
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has urged the dismissal of a senior engineer working at the Ministry of Roads due to allegations of forging academic certificates.
The individual in question, Kenneth Kamumbu Mugo, is accused of falsifying a Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree, supposedly issued by the University of Nairobi in 2006, in order to secure employment.
Eric Ngumbi, the spokesperson for EACC, disclosed this fraudulent activity on Friday, revealing that Mugo utilized the counterfeit degree to obtain positions such as Director of Roads and Transport at the Kiambu County government and subsequently as Superintendent Engineer of Roads in the Ministry of Roads and Transport.
He also exposed that in consequence of the forgery, the suspect went on to enroll in a Post-Graduate Certificate, a Master’s degree, and a Doctorate, all purportedly obtained from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
“It was established that using the fake degree in Civil Engineering, ‘Eng.’ Kenneth Mugo enrolled for a Post-Graduate Certificate in Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Audit awarded by JKUAT in 2009, a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Legislation and Management awarded in 2012 and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Environmental Technology, all at JKUAT,” stated Mr. Ngumbi.
The commission is urging the ministry to suspend Mugo during the ongoing court proceedings related to the case. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been investigating this matter since 2017, leading to the arrest and charging of the suspect last month under Section 62(1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.
Following his plea of not guilty, he was granted release on a Ksh.500,000 cash bail, and as a condition, he was required to surrender his passport to the court. The suspension is sought until a thorough hearing and determination of the case.
“He was arraigned before Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ouko of the Kiambu Anti-Corruption Court. The matter is coming up for pre-trial on 15th January 2024,” EACC stated.
The anti-corruption agency also pointed out that subsequent to Mugo’s arraignment, JKUAT has revoked the Master and Postgraduate Certificates granted to him and terminated his enrollment in the PhD program.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has charged Mugo with offenses including forgery, uttering a false document, and fraudulent acquisition of public property.
The case is scheduled for mention on Monday, January 15, 2023.
Mugo’s situation underscores the ongoing concern raised by the commission regarding the increasing prevalence of counterfeit academic certificates.
Presently, EACC is actively investigating 153 related cases, emphasizing the importance of academic institutions and employers exercising vigilance in verifying students’ documents and in the recruitment of staff.
In Other News: Former Kenyan Minister Detained In Uganda Over Alleged Gold Scam
(EACC) calls for the sacking of a senior official at the Ministry of Roads over alleged forgery of academic certificates
