Former Nairobi Water Company Employee’s Fake Degree Exposed After Pocketing Ksh 4.7 Million

Former employee of Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Limited, Okandah William John, has been sentenced to a five-year prison sentence or a fine of Ksh 5,049,597.

This is after he was found guilty of using forged academic certificates to secure employment and fraudulently earning public funds in a case heard at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court.

Investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) established that the accused secured employment at the said company using a forged Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Option) degree allegedly issued by the University of Nairobi.

It then enabled him to receive a salary and benefits amounting to Ksh 4,749,597 during his period of service.

Okandah William Judgement

The court, while delivering judgment on May 28, 2026, emphasized the importance of integrity in public service, noting that honesty and ethical principles are essential.

On June 3 2026, Hon. Celesa Okare sentenced Okanda to pay a mandatory fine equivalent to the amount he fraudulently acquired or serve two years’ imprisonment in default.

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The court further imposed additional fines of Ksh 100,000 for each of the remaining counts, with default sentences running concurrently, bringing the total penalty to Ksh 5,049,597 or a five-year custodial sentence in default.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) said the conviction demonstrates continued efforts to safeguard public resources and ensure accountability in recruitment and employment processes within public institutions in Kenya.

Growing Cases Of Academic Forgery

The case highlights growing scrutiny of academic credentials in public sector hiring amid increased anti-corruption enforcement efforts by oversight agencies across the country.

EACC has urged institutions to strengthen verification processes before recruitment to prevent similar fraud cases and protect taxpayer-funded organizations from losses.

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The ruling illustrates judicial commitment to corruption-related offences within public service institutions across Kenya and also serves as a warning to applicants who may attempt to use false academic documents to get employment.

The sentence was issued after full trial proceedings in Nairobi, Kenya, the judiciary statement noted.

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Court Hammer -Conclusion of ruling
PHOTO/DPP