EACC targets civil servants with fake degrees, former registrar's multi-million estate

At the same time, the EACC has also moved to court seeking to freeze the over 100 properties and multiple vehicles belonging to a former Principal Land Registrar based in Thika believed to be proceeds of crime.

In a letter dated 11th March 2024, the ethics body has warned against the processing of payments to civil servants who have opted to resign or retire early as they face cases of forged academic and professional certificates.

The letter, copied to the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, is addressed to all accounting/authorizing officers in all ministries, departments, and agencies, all constitutional commissions and independent offices, the clerks of both houses of parliament as well as universities and county public service and county assembly service boards.

The Commission through the letter by its CEO Twalib Mbarak, noting that some public institutions have allowed public officers with cases to resign or retire early.

In the letter, the anti-corruption watchdog advises that all accounting/authorized officers should not process benefits, including pensions or unpaid allowances and accrued leave to persons found to have used fraudulent academic qualifications to gain employment in the public service.

EACC further advises that the salaries, allowances, and benefits earned by public officers who secured jobs using forged academic and professional certificates be recovered in full.

At the same time, the anti-corruption body has moved to court seeking to freeze the assets of a former lands registrar who was based in Thika, Kiambu County. According to court documents, EACC is seeking orders to prohibit the sale, transfer, or disposal of 106 properties in different parts of the country belonging to Felix Mecha Nyakundi.

EACC is also seeking similar orders for 17 motor vehicles believed to be proceeds of crime. A further order to preserve 4.2 million shillings is also being sought by EACC against the former lands registrar.

According to court documents, the EACC is investigating allegations of embezzlement of public funds, abuse of office, and unexplained wealth with preliminary investigations revealing that the respondent has accumulated wealth that is not commensurate with his known legitimate sources of income.

The EACC says pending the conclusion of the investigation there was a need to preserve the said assets by prohibiting the transfer or disposal of the same.