NAIROBI, Kenya — A sweeping audit in Parliament has uncovered a major scandal involving over 200 employees caught with fraudulent academic certificates, triggering widespread concern over integrity within government hiring practices.
The audit, ordered by the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) and launched over a year ago, has already implicated both senior and junior staff members who may now face severe consequences, including potential criminal charges.
The internal probe is currently focused on the authenticity of Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), diploma, and university degree qualifications held by employees on Parliament’s payroll.
PSC insiders reveal that the investigation is likely to expand soon, targeting staff employed in MPs’ constituency offices.
The crackdown has sparked panic among Parliamentary staffers, particularly as sources suggest that more revelations are forthcoming.
“The exercise is revealing just how deep this issue goes,” said a senior PSC official who requested anonymity. “Many individuals have been holding positions they may not truly qualify for.”
Among those caught up in the scandal are some long-serving staff members nearing retirement and several high-ranking officials, including directors and deputy directors.
“As of now, more than 200 people have already been relieved of their duties,” a source close to the probe disclosed.
In the wake of this discovery, PSC commissioners have largely stayed silent. PSC chairman Moses Wetang’ula, who is also the National Assembly Speaker, along with commissioners Johnson Muthama, Okong’o Omogeni, John Kinyua, and Mohamed Ali, all declined to respond to requests for comment.
The fallout may not be limited to Parliament alone. Following an address earlier this year by President William Ruto at the Third National Wage Bill Conference, the Public Service Commission has been stepping up its scrutiny of academic qualifications across government agencies.
The President cited a “culture of deception,” highlighting that an estimated 2,100 public employees held fake certificates.
President Ruto called on those with forged credentials to resign and refund their salaries, asserting that state employees with falsified qualifications are committing fraud.
The Kenyan government’s wider investigation into fake credentials began with a 2022 PSC mandate directing public bodies to authenticate employee certificates.
Public Service Commission chairman Anthony Muchiri confirmed that numerous cases of document forgery had been detected, with some institutions slow to act.
The PSC plans to refer these cases to investigative bodies like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for prosecution.
This issue of fake credentials extends beyond Parliament, with studies by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) suggesting that up to 30% of civil servants could be using fraudulent qualifications.
A 2021 KNQA audit estimated that 250,000 state employees were holding unverified certificates. “It’s extremely disheartening,” former KNQA director general Juma Mukhwana said at the time, noting the inherent unfairness and potential harm to public trust.
The Parliamentary Service Commission is reportedly considering disciplinary measures.
Options on the table include asking those implicated to either resign or remain and face possible criminal investigations.
Sources close to the commission also indicate a debate on whether implicated senior staff should be dismissed quietly or formally handed over for prosecution.
The audit, ordered by the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) and launched over a year ago, has already implicated both senior and junior staff members who may now face severe consequences, including potential criminal charges.
The internal probe is currently focused on the authenticity of Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), diploma, and university degree qualifications held by employees on Parliament’s payroll.
PSC insiders reveal that the investigation is likely to expand soon, targeting staff employed in MPs’ constituency offices.
The crackdown has sparked panic among Parliamentary staffers, particularly as sources suggest that more revelations are forthcoming.
“The exercise is revealing just how deep this issue goes,” said a senior PSC official who requested anonymity. “Many individuals have been holding positions they may not truly qualify for.”
Among those caught up in the scandal are some long-serving staff members nearing retirement and several high-ranking officials, including directors and deputy directors.
“As of now, more than 200 people have already been relieved of their duties,” a source close to the probe disclosed.
In the wake of this discovery, PSC commissioners have largely stayed silent. PSC chairman Moses Wetang’ula, who is also the National Assembly Speaker, along with commissioners Johnson Muthama, Okong’o Omogeni, John Kinyua, and Mohamed Ali, all declined to respond to requests for comment.
The fallout may not be limited to Parliament alone. Following an address earlier this year by President William Ruto at the Third National Wage Bill Conference, the Public Service Commission has been stepping up its scrutiny of academic qualifications across government agencies.
The President cited a “culture of deception,” highlighting that an estimated 2,100 public employees held fake certificates.
President Ruto called on those with forged credentials to resign and refund their salaries, asserting that state employees with falsified qualifications are committing fraud.
The Kenyan government’s wider investigation into fake credentials began with a 2022 PSC mandate directing public bodies to authenticate employee certificates.
Public Service Commission chairman Anthony Muchiri confirmed that numerous cases of document forgery had been detected, with some institutions slow to act.
The PSC plans to refer these cases to investigative bodies like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for prosecution.
This issue of fake credentials extends beyond Parliament, with studies by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) suggesting that up to 30% of civil servants could be using fraudulent qualifications.
A 2021 KNQA audit estimated that 250,000 state employees were holding unverified certificates. “It’s extremely disheartening,” former KNQA director general Juma Mukhwana said at the time, noting the inherent unfairness and potential harm to public trust.
The Parliamentary Service Commission is reportedly considering disciplinary measures.
Options on the table include asking those implicated to either resign or remain and face possible criminal investigations.
Sources close to the commission also indicate a debate on whether implicated senior staff should be dismissed quietly or formally handed over for prosecution.
