A former Revenue Collection Officer at the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Limited (NCWSC) has been convicted by the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court for fraudulently securing public employment using a forged university degree certificate and unlawfully earning millions of shillings in salaries.
According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), investigations established that Okandah William John presented a forged Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Option) degree certificate, purportedly issued by the University of Nairobi, to secure employment at the public utility company.
According to the commission, the fraudulent credentials enabled him to obtain and retain employment at NCWSC, where he received a total of KSh4,749,597 in salaries between September 3, 2016, and November 30, 2023.
Following the investigations, the case was prosecuted before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, which found Okandah guilty of fraudulently acquiring public property, uttering a false document, and deceiving a principal.
The court ordered him to pay a mandatory fine of KSh4,749,597, equivalent to the amount he unlawfully obtained through his employment. In default of payment, he will serve a two-year prison sentence.
Additionally, the court imposed fines of KSh100,000 for each of the three offences; fraudulent acquisition of public property, uttering a false document, and deceiving a principal. The sentences will run concurrently.
The EACC welcomed the conviction, describing it as a significant step in the fight against fraud in public service. The commission reiterated that individuals who obtain public jobs through forged academic or professional qualifications will be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The anti-graft agency said the judgment reinforces its commitment to protecting public resources and promoting integrity in public institutions.
It also urged public bodies to strengthen verification of academic and professional credentials during recruitment to prevent fraud and ensure that only qualified individuals are entrusted with public office.
