The Government of Kenya has sounded the alarm over what it terms a “national emergency” stemming from rampant forgery of academic and professional certificates, warning that the crisis poses a grave threat to the credibility of the country’s education system and the integrity of its public service.
Speaking at the 2025 Ethics and Integrity Conference held in Nairobi, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei described the situation as a ticking time bomb for national development. “Appointments and promotions must espouse fair competition and merit, yet we are witnessing falsified certificates across sectors—from national and county governments to parastatals and independent offices,” he said.
Koskei emphasized that a sweeping verification initiative by the Public Service Commission has unearthed alarming levels of fraud. He warned that the implications of this misconduct could ripple beyond Kenya’s borders, potentially derailing international labour partnerships.
“We risk national embarrassment if unqualified individuals are exported abroad only for their incompetence to be exposed,” he cautioned. “This undermines efforts to address youth unemployment when we have many genuinely skilled graduates being sidelined.”
In response, the government has issued a circular mandating all public institutions to strictly adhere to merit-based recruitment. Heads of departments found culpable of hiring under false pretenses will now be held personally accountable.
To tackle the crisis head-on, a multi-agency task force has been formed, comprising the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), and the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA).
EACC Chairperson Dr. David Oginde underscored the systemic nature of the problem. “This issue is no longer isolated—it’s a full-blown epidemic,” he said. “We’re seeing fabricated qualifications even at the PhD level, with people submitting dissertations sourced from the internet.”
Dr. Oginde also lamented the erosion of academic integrity at foundational levels, revealing that security personnel are now being deployed to monitor even primary school exams. “It’s shocking that law enforcement is now necessary just to ensure the sanctity of national examinations,” he said.
EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud disclosed that the agency has received 549 reports of certificate forgery since 2022. Of these, 85 have been submitted to the DPP, with 20 cases already concluded in court, resulting in 13 convictions. He noted that the commission is now recovering illicitly earned salaries and benefits from those who fraudulently secured employment.
“The Constitution envisions meritocracy in public service,” Mohamud affirmed. “This is not just about law enforcement it’s about restoring trust in our institutions and competitiveness in the job market.”
The scale of the problem was further laid bare by Public Service Commission Chairperson Anthony Muchiri, who revealed that a recent audit uncovered over 2,500 forged credentials out of 3,000 documents examined.
Muchiri stressed that the vetting process would continue across all levels of public service, stating, “We must go back to our roots. Restoring integrity to Kenya’s education and public service systems is not just a legal obligation it’s a moral and cultural imperative.”
As the crackdown intensifies, the government is urging citizens, employers, and educational institutions to take an active role in safeguarding the nation’s academic reputation, warning that the future of Kenya’s workforce depends on upholding the values of honesty, merit, and accountability.
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