The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) employee for allegedly using a forged Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) to secure employment.
According to the EACC, the arrest followed investigations launched after a complaint filed on October 12, 2023, claiming that Michael Kilonzo Mualuko had presented a falsified KCSE certificate purportedly issued by Bishop Ndingi High School.
Following an in-depth probe, the Commission confirmed that the certificate was fake and had been used fraudulently to obtain employment at the utility company.
Forgery Confirmed and Case Referred to DPP
In a statement, the anti-graft body said,
“Upon completion of investigations, the Commission submitted the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who concurred with the recommendation to institute criminal proceedings.”
The suspect, Mualuko, was subsequently arraigned before Senior Principal Magistrate Ondieki, where he faced several charges, including:
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Forgery;
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Uttering a false document;
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Deceiving a principal; and
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Presenting a forged certificate.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on a cash bail of KSh 100,000 or an alternative bond of KSh 1 million pending trial.
The matter is scheduled for mention on October 22, 2025.
EACC Reaffirms Zero Tolerance to Forgery and Corruption
In its statement, the EACC reaffirmed its commitment to upholding integrity and ethical conduct across all sectors, emphasizing that document forgery and academic fraud are serious offenses undermining Kenya’s governance systems.
The Commission vowed to continue investigating and prosecuting individuals who use falsified documents to obtain employment or gain undue advantage in both public and private institutions.
“The Commission remains steadfast in protecting public institutions from dishonest practices and ensuring that only qualified and deserving individuals serve in critical public roles,” EACC stated.
Background on Academic Fraud in Public Service
The arrest adds to a growing list of cases involving fake academic credentials among employees in public offices and parastatals.
EACC has in recent years intensified efforts to verify staff qualifications within government agencies, leading to numerous arrests and dismissals linked to forged academic and professional certificates.
Legal experts note that presenting a falsified academic document constitutes a criminal offense under the Penal Code and the Leadership and Integrity Act, punishable by imprisonment or fines upon conviction.
What’s Next
Mualuko’s case will return to court on October 22, 2025, for mention.
If convicted, he faces potential penalties, including imprisonment and forfeiture of employment benefits obtained through fraudulent means.