NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 3 – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recommended criminal charges against a Taita Taveta County Executive Committee Member accused of using forged academic certificates to secure appointment, leading to the payment of KSh6.05 million in public funds.

The commission said investigations established that the official presented a fake Bachelor’s degree in Project Planning and Management, purportedly issued by the University of Nairobi, during the county appointment process.

In its investigation report, the EACC said the university confirmed that neither the degree certificate nor the accompanying academic transcripts had been issued by the institution.

“The CECM had fraudulently earned salary amounting to KSh6,050,154.90 from October 2025 to June 2026 on account of the forged Bachelor’s degree certificate,” the report stated.

The investigation followed an anonymous report alleging that the official, who serves as the County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Physical Planning, Mining and Urban Development, had falsified her academic qualifications.

She was nominated by the Taita Taveta Governor through a letter dated August 12, 2024. Under the County Governments Act, a person appointed to a county executive committee must hold at least a first degree from a university recognised in Kenya.

The EACC said the official declared during vetting that she held a Bachelor’s degree in Project Planning and Management, Second Class Honours Upper Division, and submitted a copy of the certificate and other academic documents.

The commission forwarded its investigation report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on August 4, 2026, recommending charges of fraudulent acquisition of public property and two counts of forgery.