Former Nairobi Water Employee Convicted for Using a Fake Degree Certificate

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has secured the conviction of a former Revenue Collection Officer at the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Limited (NCWSC) for obtaining public employment using a forged university degree certificate.

In a statement dated July 8, the commission stated that investigations established that the former employee fraudulently obtained employment, leading to the unlawful acquisition of nearly KSh4.75 million in public funds through salaries.

“ A former Revenue Collection Officer at the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Limited (NCWSC) has been convicted and sentenced for fraudulently acquiring public funds after securing employment using a forged university degree certificate,” read part of the statement.

EACC Secures Conviction of Former Nairobi Water Employee

According to the EACC, Okandah William John forged a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nairobi.

The commission said he used the forged academic certificate to secure employment as a Revenue Collection Officer at the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Limited.

As a result, Okandah William unlawfully received Ksh4,749,597 in salaries between September 3, 2016, and November 30, 2023.

“Investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) 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. As a result, he unlawfully received Ksh 4,749,597 in salaries on September 3, 2016, and November 30, 2023,” EACC stated.

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In addition, the court ordered him to pay a mandatory fine of Ksh4,749,597, equivalent to the amount he unlawfully received in salaries, or serve two years’ imprisonment.

The court also fined him Ksh100,000 for the offences of fraudulent acquisition of public property, uttering a false document, and deceiving a principal, with the sentences to run concurrently.

The commission further noted that it will continue pursuing cases involving forged academic certificates and other forms of fraud in public service as part of its mandate to uphold integrity and accountability.

Two IEBC Officials Convicted Over Fake Certificates

This comes shortly after EACC secured the convictions of two former employees of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for using forged academic certificates to unlawfully obtain public service.

In a statement dated July 7, 2026, the commission said the convictions were handed down in separate cases by the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, underscoring the Commission’s continued efforts to safeguard integrity in public service recruitment and career progression.

According to EACC, Purity Mwaniki Wanja, a former IEBC Constituency Office Clerk, had forged a KCSE certificate and used the forged certificate to secure employment with the IEBC in July 2012.

However, Wanja pleaded guilty to three charges: fraudulent acquisition of public property, forgery, and presenting a forged certificate.

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Following her guilty plea, the court ordered her to pay a total penalty of Ksh 1.6 million, comprising Ksh 1.5 million in compensation and fines of Ksh 50,000 each for the forgery and presenting a forged certificate charges.

In a separate case, EACC accused Luka Mukimi Musamali of using a forged university degree certificate to obtain a promotion within the Commission.

Following a full trial, the court found him guilty of deceiving a principal and uttering a false document, but acquitted him on the forgery charge.

As a result, the court imposed a total fine of Ksh110,000, with custodial sentences to apply should he fail to pay.

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A photo showing EACC Integrity House. Photo/ EACC X.