EACC Wants Top Ministry Of Roads Official Suspended For Forging Academic Certificates
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is urging the dismissal of a senior engineer within the Ministry of Roads due to accusations of forging academic certificates.
Kenneth Kamumbu Mugo, the accused individual, allegedly falsified a Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nairobi in 2006 to obtain a job.
On Friday, Eric Ngumbi, the spokesperson for the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), disclosed that Mugo had employed a deceptive degree to obtain positions, initially as the Director of Roads and Transport in the Kiambu County government, and subsequently as the Superintendent Engineer of Roads in the Ministry of Roads and Transport.
He shared that following the incident, the accused proceeded to register for a Post-Graduate Certificate, a Master’s degree, and a Doctorate, all attained at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
“It was established that using the fake degree in Civil Engineering, ‘Eng.’ Kenneth Mugo enrolled for a Post-Graduate Certificate in Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Audit awarded by JKUAT in 2009, a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Legislation and Management awarded in 2012, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Environmental Technology, all at JKUAT,” stated Mr. Ngumbi.
The commission is requesting the ministry to temporarily halt Mugo’s duties until the court resolves the ongoing case through a hearing and determination.
The EACC has been investigating this case since 2017, leading to the apprehension and charging of the suspect last month under Section 62(1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.
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He was granted bail in the amount of Ksh.500,000 and required to surrender his passport to the court after entering a plea of not guilty to the charges filed against him.
“He was arraigned before Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ouko of the Kiambu Anti-Corruption Court. The matter is coming up for pre-trial on 15th January 2024,” EACC stated.
The anti-corruption agency also observed that after Mugo was formally charged, JKUAT took the step of revoking the Master’s and Postgraduate Certificates conferred upon him, and terminated his enrollment in the PhD program.
The charges against Mugo brought by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) include forgery, the act of presenting a false document, and the fraudulent acquisition of public property.
The case will be mentioned on Monday, January 15, 2023.
Mugo’s situation arises at a time when the commission has expressed worries about the increasing prevalence of counterfeit academic credentials.
Presently, the EACC indicates that it is investigating 153 interconnected cases. Additionally, it encourages educational institutions and employers to exercise caution in validating students’ credentials and hiring personnel.
EACC Wants Top Ministry Of Roads Official Suspended For Forging Academic Certificates