By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
Jecintah Adoyo Hezron, former Personal Assistant to the Chairperson of the Commission of Revenue Allocation (CRA) was arraigned over the forgery of academic certificates by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
Jecintah was accused of forging a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts Degree Certificates purporting that they were genuine documents awarded by the University of Nairobi, which she used to secure employment at CRA.
Appearing before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, the accused pleaded not guilty to charges of fraudulent acquisition of public property, forgery, presenting false documents, giving false information to a person employed in public service and deceiving the principal.
Principal Magistrate Hon. Celesa Okore granted her release on a bond of Ksh. 2 million, requiring a surety of the same amount or a cash bail of Ksh. 1 million.
The case is scheduled for mention on 17th June 2024.
During her employment at CRA from August 2017, the accused unlawfully received a salary totalling Ksh. 15,224,522.
The Commission intends to pursue a civil lawsuit to recover the whole amount.
Fighting corruption in Kenya has been an ongoing challenge, but efforts are being made to address this issue across different levels.
The Kenyan government has implemented anti-corruption laws, established specialized agencies like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and initiated campaigns to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of corruption on society.
Addressing corruption necessitates unwavering dedication from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including government, civil society, the private sector, and citizens, to foster integrity, fortify institutions, and uphold the principles of the rule of law.