A seven-year employment stint at the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) has ended in a costly legal battle for a former revenue collection officer who secured his job using a forged university degree certificate and went on to earn millions of shillings in salaries.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) said Okandah William John obtained employment at the public utility company after presenting a fake Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Option) degree certificate allegedly issued by the University of Nairobi.
Investigations by the anti-graft agency established that the certificate used by Okandah to secure the position was not genuine, resulting in him receiving Sh4,749,597 in salaries between September 3, 2016, and November 30, 2023.
The commission said the money paid to him during his employment period was acquired through fraudulent means because his appointment was based on false academic qualifications.
"Investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission established that Okandah William John forged a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Option) degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nairobi and used it to secure employment at NCWSC," the commission said in a statement.
Following the findings, the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court convicted Okandah and ordered him to pay a mandatory fine of Sh4,749,597, an amount equal to the salary he received through the fraudulent employment.
The court ruled that failure to pay the fine would result in a two-year jail term.
He was also fined Sh100,000 for each of the offences of fraudulent acquisition of public property, uttering a false document, and deceiving a principal. The sentences will run concurrently.
The conviction comes as the EACC continues to pursue cases involving individuals accused of using forged academic and professional documents to gain employment or promotions in public institutions.
The commission said the case reflects its efforts to protect public funds and ensure that individuals who obtain government-related jobs through false information face legal consequences.
"The conviction underscores the EACC's commitment to safeguarding public resources and ensuring that individuals who obtain public employment through fraudulent means are held accountable in accordance with the law," the agency said.
The ruling adds to a growing list of cases handled by the anti-corruption agency involving public officers who allegedly used fake credentials to access employment opportunities and benefit from taxpayer-funded positions.