Inquiry into Allegations that the County Executive for Youth and Sports in Meru County Forged a Degree Certificate from the University of Nairobi

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Quarterly Report 1st January to 31st March 2021.

The EACC commenced investigations upon receipt of a report the Executive Committee Member for Youth Affairs and Sports in Meru County Government presented a forged Degree Certificate in Bachelor of Commerce purportedly issued by the University of Nairobi (UON) in the year 2010. The Degree Certificate was allegedly presented during a recruitment exercise by the County that led to the subsequent appointment of the CEC to the said position.

False Declaration and Forged Degree Certificate

Investigations established that the Executive Committee Member for Youth, Gender and Sports made a false declaration in the EACC self-declaration form that he had acquired a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, Accounting Option from UON when he applied for the position of County Executive Member of Culture and Sports on 11/09/2017.The officer presented a forged copy of said degree to a committee handling the appointment for the said position.

On 25th January, 2021, a report was prepared and forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) with the recommendation that the officer be charged with the following offences:

• Five Counts of forgery contrary to section 349 of the Penal Code;
• Five Counts of uttering a false document contrary to section 353 as read with section 349 of the Penal Code;
• One County of providing false information to the EACC contrary to section 46 (1) (d) of LIA as read with section 46 (2) of LIA and deceiving the Meru County Government contrary to section 46 (1) (d) of LIA.

On 24th January, 2021, the DPP returned the inquiry file and advised that further investigations be carried out.

Source: The Kenya Gazette, 2nd July, 2021.