Anti-graft agency cautions institutions over academic fraud, warns candidates seeking shortcuts for elective positions will face prosecution.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has issued a stern warning to universities, colleges, examination bodies and academic regulators to strengthen their systems and prevent the issuance of forged certificates ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The commission raised concerns over growing attempts by individuals seeking elective positions to obtain fraudulent academic qualifications as they prepare for nomination and clearance processes.
Speaking during a capacity-building workshop for the County Assembly of Bungoma held in Kisumu, EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi A. Mohamud said academic fraud tends to increase during election periods, as some aspiring leaders attempt to bypass legitimate academic requirements.
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Western Regional Manager Eric Ngumbi, Mohamud said institutions must take responsibility for protecting the credibility of Kenya’s education system.
“This is the prevailing challenge of forgery of academic certificates, a problem that often intensifies in periods leading up to general elections. During this time, individuals seeking elective positions without the requisite academic qualifications may seek shortcuts to qualify for nominations and clearance to contest elections,” he said.
The EACC boss challenged universities and colleges to establish stronger internal controls to ensure certificates are only awarded to individuals who have completed the required courses and met academic standards.
He warned that institutions found colluding with individuals to fraudulently acquire academic credentials would face consequences.
“It is the duty of universities and colleges to maintain controls that ensure that no individual is issued a certificate for courses they did not undertake or without attaining the required qualifications,” Mohamud stated.
The commission said it will continue working with relevant agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in academic fraud, ensuring that only legitimately earned qualifications are used to seek public office.
EACC Raises Alarm Over Conflict of Interest in Counties
The workshop, organised by EACC for members of the Bungoma County Assembly, also focused on the implementation of the Conflict-of-Interest Act, 2025, which introduces tougher measures aimed at enhancing accountability among public officers.
The commission highlighted conflict of interest as one of the major drivers of corruption in county governments, particularly in procurement and recruitment processes.
Mohamud warned that personal interests among public officials continue to undermine service delivery through irregular tenders, biased appointments and decisions that favour individuals rather than the public good.
“This results in procurement irregularities, appointments influenced by private interests, and decision-making skewed towards personal gain rather than public good,” he said.
The anti-graft agency further raised concerns over instances where some county assemblies allegedly compromise their oversight role by working too closely with county executives in corrupt arrangements.
According to EACC, such practices have resulted in irregular tender awards, uncompetitive procurement processes, payments for incomplete or non-existent projects, and loss of public resources.
“In such cases, the end result is loss of public funds through uncompetitive procurement, payments for substandard works, payments for ghost projects and compromised public services,” Mohamud warned.
MCAs Urged to Protect Devolution Gains
Speaking during the workshop, Bungoma County Assembly Speaker Emmanuel Situma said the engagement was timely as citizens continue demanding higher standards of transparency, accountability and ethical leadership from public institutions.
He noted that county assemblies play a critical role in safeguarding public interest through legislation and oversight.
“As a County Assembly, we occupy a central position in the governance framework, not only as a legislative body but also as an institution entrusted with oversight and the protection of public interest,” Situma said.
He added that the Committee on Powers and Privileges and the County Assembly Service Board have a key responsibility in promoting integrity within county governments, including handling wealth declaration matters for county executive officials.
The EACC urged Members of County Assemblies to maintain independence and uphold integrity while conducting oversight over governors and county executives to protect the achievements of devolution.
The commission’s warning comes as political activities begin taking shape ahead of the 2027 General Election, with integrity and qualification requirements expected to remain key issues in the vetting of candidates seeking elective positions.
