A former Revenue Officer at Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Limited has been convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of Ksh 5,049,597 or serve a five-year prison term after being found guilty of using forged academic credentials to secure employment and unlawfully earning public funds.
Mr. Okandah William John was convicted by the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on multiple counts, including forgery, uttering a false document, deceiving a principal, and fraudulent acquisition of public property.
Investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) established that the former employee obtained his position at the public utility company using a forged Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Option) degree purportedly issued by the University of Nairobi.
According to the EACC, Mr. Okandah fraudulently received KES 4,749,597 in salaries and benefits during his tenure at the company as a result of the falsified academic qualifications.
In a judgment delivered on May 28, 2026, the court emphasized the critical role of integrity in public service, noting that honesty and adherence to ethical standards are essential in safeguarding public resources and promoting accountability.
The court further observed that integrity helps reduce fraud, corruption, and legal disputes, thereby easing the burden on the justice system and enabling public institutions to operate more effectively and efficiently.
On June 3, 2026, Hon. Celesa Okare sentenced the accused to pay a mandatory fine equivalent to the amount fraudulently acquired Ksh 4,749,597, or serve two years in prison in default. The court also imposed fines of Ksh 100,000 for each of the remaining counts, with a default sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment.
The sentences are to run concurrently, bringing the total financial penalty to Ksh 5,049,597 or a five-year custodial sentence in default of payment.
The conviction underscores the EACC’s continued efforts to protect public resources, uphold integrity in public service, and promote accountability in recruitment and employment processes within public institutions.
