Court gravel
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has secured the conviction of two former employees of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for using forged academic certificates to unlawfully obtain and advance in public employment.
The commission said the convictions reaffirm its commitment to protecting the integrity of public service recruitment and career progression by pursuing individuals who use fraudulent documents to secure employment or promotions.
On July 2 the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court convicted former IEBC Constituency Office Clerk Purity Mwaniki Wanja after adopting a plea bargain agreement.
According to the EACC, investigations established that Wanja forged a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate purportedly issued by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and used it to secure employment with the electoral commission in July 2012.
She pleaded guilty to charges of fraudulent acquisition of public property, forgery and presenting a forged certificate.
The court convicted her on her own plea of guilty and ordered her to pay a total penalty of KSh1.6 million, comprising KSh1.5 million in compensation and fines of KSh50,000 each for the forgery and presenting a forged certificate offences.
In a separate case, the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on June 29, 2026, convicted former IEBC employee Luka Musamali for using a forged university degree certificate to secure a promotion within the commission.
EACC investigations found that Musamali presented a falsified Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies (Public Administration) degree certificate purportedly issued by Moi University to support his promotion from constituency office clerk to constituency elections assistant.
Following a full trial, the court convicted him of deceiving a principal and uttering a false document but acquitted him on the charge of forgery. He was fined a total of Sh110,000, with custodial sentences in default of payment.
"The convictions underscore the commission's unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of public service recruitment and career progression," the EACC said.
The commission warned that the use of forged academic or professional certificates remains a criminal offence.
"EACC reiterates that the use of forged academic or professional certificates to secure public employment, promotions, or any other public benefit is a criminal offence. The Commission will continue to investigate and pursue all persons who engage in such fraudulent conduct to safeguard integrity and accountability in public service," the statement said.
