19 Migori County Staff Quit as Crackdown on Fake Academic Certificates Intensifies
Migori County has been thrust into a fresh integrity storm after nineteen county employees resigned amid a major crackdown on fake academic documents. The workers, who are part of a larger group of 93 staff flagged for presenting forged education certificates, opted to leave voluntarily as the county government began enforcing disciplinary action. County Secretary Oscar Olima confirmed receiving their resignation letters, noting that the employees chose to exit rather than wait for sanctions from oversight bodies.
According to Olima, the purge stems from an extensive audit by the Human Resource Audit Institute in 2023, backed by a countywide staff headcount that revealed widespread discrepancies in employee credentials. Of the 93 workers implicated, 25 have written to the County Public Service Board requesting a chance to defend themselves. The verification process, conducted with the help of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), examined over 2,700 certificates belonging to county employees, unearthing cases involving forged KCPE, KCSE, and questionable post-secondary qualifications. Olima emphasized that the exercise is not a political witch-hunt but a necessary step in restoring professionalism and accountability within the county administration.
At the centre of the clean-up is the decision to immediately strike all 93 implicated staff off the county payroll while their cases proceed through the required disciplinary channels. The resignations have triggered mixed reactions among residents, with some locals praising the county for taking a bold stand against fraud and misuse of public office. Others, however, expressed concern that the sudden mass exits could disrupt service delivery in crucial departments if replacements are not deployed quickly.
The county government has pledged to conclude the ongoing investigations within the shortest time possible, with hearings scheduled for those who wish to clear their names. Migori officials say the findings of this process will guide future recruitment, vetting, and internal audits to prevent similar cases from recurring. The purge is expected to set a precedent for other devolved units across the country, many of which have faced long-standing concerns over the authenticity of academic credentials among public servants.