EACC dismissed salary of civil servants with fake qualification

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has dismissed the salary and other benefits of civil servants with fake qualifications in Kenya. EACC investigation revealed almost two thousand civil servants exploited fake academic degrees to acquire jobs or promotions within the public sector.

Following this criminal act, EACC has dismissed the salary of fraudulent civil servants. They have also blocked payments of terminal benefits (pensions etc) to those involved in the scandal. EACC also claimed to recover money from them which they gained through fraud.

Over two thousand civil servants are facing the grim prospect of losing their salaries, retirement benefits, and other perks following revelations that they used forged academic qualifications to secure employment.https://t.co/lErblTe0a8
— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) March 22, 2024

EACC issued an order on March 11, 2024, instructing all public institutions in Kenya to stop processing and releasing final compensation dues to personnel who resign or opt for early retirement to avoid criminal penalties related to forged documents.

The EACC order emphasized the commission’s constitutional obligation to protect integrity standards among state and public officials, particularly in the case of public relations management.

EACC CEO wrote in the letter it has come to the commission’s attention that some public institutions have allowed public officers with fake documents and academic and professional certificates to resign or proceed on early retirement and process payment of post-retirement benefits without following the law.

Click here to read updates on the Senate removed Kisii Deputy Governor for the first time in Kenya’s history

The CEO of EACC stated above in a letter to accounting and authorizing officers and constitutional commissions. In addition, he sent letters to independent offices including the National Assembly, Judiciary, public universities, and states.

Anthony Muchiri is the chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC). He stated more than 2,000 civil servants obtained posts, promotions, or redesignations using forged academic credentials. He also said the authentication process is ongoing and that other cases of forgery will be discovered.

Meanwhile, EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumbi expressed concern about academic fraudsters’ coordination with their supervisors. He emphasized that all parties involved will be held accountable for their activities.