A former employee of Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, Asembo Babra Gladys, has been charged in court for allegedly trying to secure a job at the public utility firm, using a forged Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate.

Ms Gladys who was arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on Monday, is accused of forging her academic documents and using them to secure a job at Nairobi Water Company, and fraudulently acquiring public funds amounting to Kes 6.2 million.

As per the investigations conducted by EACC, the forged documents made it possible for her to draw salaries and benefits worth millions of shillings, despite not having genuine academic qualifications required for that particular position.

The inconsistencies in her employment records were revealed following an internal audit at the company, prompting the initiation of investigations, which later led to the discovery of the alleged forgery and financial irregularities.

The prosecutors informed the court that Asembo presented the fake certificate to her employer knowingly, to benefit from public money unlawfully.

Asembo however denied all the charges relating to forgery, presenting false documents and obtaining public funds through false pretenses.

Citing the seriousness of the offenses committed and the high amount of money involved in the case, the prosecution urged the imposition of strict bail conditions by the court. Asembo’s defense team however pleaded with the court for leniency saying that the accused was ready to cooperate with the investigators and attend all court sessions.

The magistrate instructed that the accused be released on bond, scheduling the case for mention at a later date.

Asembo’s incident adds to the growing concerns over forged academic documents in public institutions. Authorities however, have intensified efforts cracking down such cases and safeguarding public resources.