Former Nairobi City Water Official Charged with Forging KCSE Certificate to Secure Job
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested and charged a former employee of the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC), Mr. Daniel Kung’u Njoroge, over allegations of forging a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate to obtain employment at the utility firm.
The arrest, which took place on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, marks another major step in the EACC’s ongoing crackdown on fraudulent employment within public institutions. According to a statement released by the Commission, Mr. Njoroge allegedly presented a falsified KCSE certificate purportedly issued by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and used it to secure a job at NCWSC.
Investigations conducted by EACC revealed that the certificate in question did not originate from KNEC records, and was therefore fraudulent. The Commission stated that Mr. Njoroge knowingly uttered a false document with intent to deceive his employer, an act that constitutes a serious criminal offense under Kenyan law.
Charges Approved by the DPP
Following the conclusion of investigations, the EACC forwarded the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review. After examining the evidence, the DPP approved several criminal charges against the accused.
Mr. Njoroge is facing three counts, namely:
- Forgery, contrary to Section 245 as read with Section 349 of the Penal Code;
- Uttering a false document, contrary to Section 353 as read with Section 349 of the Penal Code; and
- Presentation of a forged certificate, contrary to Section 34(a) of the Kenya National Examinations Council Act.
The EACC confirmed that the suspect was processed at the Integrity Centre Police Station before being arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court.
Court Proceedings and Bail Terms
During the court session, Mr. Njoroge pleaded not guilty to all charges. The presiding magistrate, Hon. Okore, released the accused on a cash bail of Ksh 300,000 or an alternative bond of Ksh 500,000 with one surety of a similar amount.
The case is expected to come up for mention on October 28, 2025, as the court prepares for pre-trial directions and hearing schedules.
EACC’s Continued Crackdown on Fake Certificates
In its official statement, the EACC reiterated its unwavering commitment to fighting fraud, corruption, and unethical practices in public service. The Commission emphasized that forging academic certificates undermines merit-based recruitment and erodes public trust in government institutions.
“The Commission will continue to ensure that only individuals who meet the lawful academic and professional requirements serve in public offices,” read part of the EACC’s statement.
This arrest follows a growing trend of cases where individuals have been caught using fake academic credentials to secure lucrative government positions. The EACC, in collaboration with KNEC and the DPP, has intensified efforts to detect and prosecute such offenses, warning that those found culpable will face the full force of the law.
Public Reaction and Broader Implications
The case has sparked public debate about the prevalence of forged academic papers in both public and private sectors. Many Kenyans have taken to social media to demand stricter verification processes for employment, especially in parastatals and government agencies.
Analysts argue that the rise in such incidents calls for a comprehensive audit of academic credentials among public servants. They further suggest that KNEC should work closely with employers to enable real-time certificate verification, reducing the chances of forgery slipping through recruitment systems.
As the case against Mr. Njoroge proceeds, the EACC has urged Kenyans to uphold integrity and transparency, emphasizing that every case of forgery—no matter how small—poses a threat to the country’s governance and accountability standards.
