By Lauryne Akoth
DCI’s crackdown on forgery in the civil service continues as the unit has arrested four more suspects in connection with forged academic credentials. The 4 were nabbed trying to secure government jobs in the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Bethwel Kipkoech, Celestine Cherop Chepsoi, Eddah Cheptanui Boit, and Jackson Kipkosgei were arraigned at the Eldoret Law Courts on 4th March 2024, following their arrest.
They faced charges related to forging academic certificates, creating false documents, presenting fraudulent paperwork, and unlawfully obtaining public property. They pleaded not guilty and were subsequently granted release on either a cash bail of Sh100,000 or a bond of Sh300,000.
The four would be the second arrests made by the DCI in the war against corruption; particularly the apprehension of public servants suspected of using counterfeit academic and professional certificates for job appointments and promotions.
Joash Kimurgor Kirwa would be DCI’s first victim, arrested for the forgery of academic certificates. He was apprehended two weeks ago in Waitaluk within Trans Nzoia county and arraigned in the Eldoret law courts.
The investigation leading to his arrest uncovered that Kirwa forged a Moi University degree certificate and academic transcripts, which he utilized to secure a position with the Ministry of Education State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
In Eldoret Law Courts, the jurisdiction where he was recruited, Kirwa faced five counts of forgery. He also pleaded not guilty and was granted release on a Ksh200,000 cash bail, with the pre-trial mention scheduled for February 26, 2024.
This crackdown on fraudulent activities within the public service follows the recent submission by the Public Service Commission of a report containing 1,280 cases of forged certificates, including 91 public institutions and 787 instances from ministries, state departments, and agencies.
The report was handed over to the DCI and EACC for further action.