A Nairobi court has convicted a senior official from the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company for using a fake academic certificate to gain employment, in a case that underscores Kenya’s ongoing fight against corruption in public institutions. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) announced that Joseph Kihara Kaburugu was found guilty of uttering a false document, contrary to Section 353 of the Penal Code, after presenting a forged diploma in Sports Science Management purportedly issued by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa of the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court sentenced Kaburugu to pay a fine of Ksh 100,000 or serve one year in prison in default.
According to EACC investigations, Kaburugu’s fraudulent academic papers were discovered during a background verification process after he sought employment at the Nairobi Water company. The commission forwarded the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who approved charges of forgery and uttering a false document. Although the court acquitted Kaburugu of forgery due to insufficient evidence, it ruled that he knowingly presented the false certificate to mislead his employer. The conviction, delivered on September 30, 2025, follows months of trial proceedings that began in January when Kaburugu denied all charges before the court.
The EACC welcomed the ruling, describing it as a victory in its broader campaign to protect the integrity of Kenya’s public sector. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing individuals who attempt to secure government positions or benefits through fraudulent means. The case comes amid increased scrutiny of fake academic qualifications among public servants, with watchdogs urging institutions to tighten verification procedures. Analysts believe the conviction sends a strong message about accountability and deterrence, especially as Kenya continues to implement reforms aimed at restoring trust and professionalism within the civil service.