By Lauryne Akoth
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has put all public entities in the National and County Governments on notice, requiring them to halt payments of terminal benefits to public officers found with forged academic certificates, specifically to those resigning or seeking early retirement from the Government.
According to the commission, resigning and early retirement are considered schemes plotted to evade justice. The circular dated 11th March 2024 reads, ” It has come to the attention of the Commission that some public institutions have allowed public officers with cases of forged academic and professional certificates to resign or proceed on early retirement and processed payment of terminal benefits without following the law,”
“To this end, the Commission advises that all accounting/authorized officers should not process benefits including; pensions or unpaid allowances and accrued leave to persons found to have used fraudulent academic qualifications to gain employment in the public service.”
The commission also stated that they are investigating reports of employers protecting public officials with forged academic certificates, especially in the counties. EACC went ahead to advise all public institutions to undertake a verification process of academic and professional certificates of all employed public officers.
“The Commission hereby advises all public institutions to prioritize and undertake verification of academic and professional certificates of all public officers serving in the respective institutions. All cases of forged academic and professional certificates should be submitted to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission for further action under the law,” partially read the statement.
EACC also announced that the salaries, allowances, and benefits earned by public officers who secured employment using forged academic and professional certificates shall be recoverable in full.
“To avert loss of public funds while investigations continue, no Accounting/ Authorized officer should process benefits including; pension, unpaid allowances and/or accrued leave to persons found to have used fraudulent academic qualifications to gain employment in the public service.” Concluded the statement.