The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has denied claims suggesting that it has granted amnesty to individuals involved in academic fraud.
According to a statement issued by the EACC, while it may cease efforts to recover assets obtained through fraudulent means, it will not refrain from advocating for the criminal prosecution of those implicated in such acts.
The wealth recovery cases, can only be discontinued if suspects offer to return wealth acquired through fake papers through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
”EACC is not aware of the “amnesty offer” referred to in the attached story. To ensure accurate and contextual reporting of technical issues, writers are encouraged to, where necessary, seek more information and/or clarifications from the Commission to avoid misleading the public” The anti-graft body wrote on their official X page.
It added, ”In this case, although the law permits EACC to use Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), this is only limited to civil matters, such as in the recovery of public property lost or stolen through corrupt conduct. For the avoidance of doubt, use of the ADR mechanism by EACC does not necessarily stop the Commission from recommending criminal prosecution of the suspects”
This comes as a response to the local daily citing Charles Rasugu, the Regional Manager of EACC for the North Rift, who purportedly assured that individuals who voluntarily surrender unlawfully earned salaries would receive forgiveness and have their cases dropped.
Recently, the anti-graft watchdog has arrested several suspects working in government offices suspected to have used forged academic documents to secure employment.
Those arrested include Eunice Ngima Gachugi, a Supply Chain Management Officer at the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), who is said to have forged a Diploma in Business Information and Technology from Kenya Methodist University.
In February, Dennis Thuo Kimani, a supply chain management officer attached to REREC was arrested for allegedly having a forged degree certificate.
The commission also arrested the ward administrator for Marsabit Central Halkano Dabasso on February 26 for allegedly having fake academic certificates.
In December 2023, EACC called for the suspension of Roads Superintendent Engineer Kenneth Kamumu Mugo over forgery-related charges.
