MOMBASA, Kenya — Detectives have arrested a 54-year-old man in Changamwe, Mombasa County, following a two-year investigation into the alleged forgery and use of a fraudulent KCSE certificate in connection with his employment at the Kenya Railways Corporation.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) identified the suspect as Awange Oscar Akoth, who was arrested after detectives traced him to Mombasa following investigations into the disputed academic certificate.
The case emerged after Kenya Railways conducted an authentication exercise to verify academic and professional certificates presented by its employees.
During the exercise, Akoth’s KCSE certificate, purportedly issued by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), was flagged for further scrutiny.
KNEC verification exposes alleged forgery
Subsequent verification by KNEC established that certificate number 624785, purportedly issued in 1993, had been forged, according to investigators.
Detectives found that grades in three subjects had allegedly been altered from D (Plain) to C (Plain).
The investigation also established that the certificate’s mean grade had allegedly been changed from D+ (Plus) to C (Plain).
The findings prompted further investigations into the circumstances under which the certificate was allegedly created and used.
After gathering evidence, detectives forwarded the case file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for directions.
Suspect faces two charges
After reviewing the evidence, the ODPP directed that Akoth be charged with uttering a false document, contrary to Section 353 of the Penal Code.
He is also expected to face a charge of fraudulent acquisition of public property, contrary to Section 45(1)(a) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA).
The charges relate to allegations that the suspect knowingly presented and used a forged academic certificate in circumstances connected to his employment at the state corporation.
According to the DCI, Akoth remained at large as investigations continued.
Detectives eventually traced him to Changamwe, where they arrested him after a surveillance operation.
Awaiting court appearance
The suspect is currently undergoing processing ahead of his arraignment at the Milimani Law Courts.
The arrest marks the culmination of a two-year investigation that began with Kenya Railways’ internal verification of employees’ academic and professional credentials.
