Gladys Shollei Says Public Servants With Fake Certificates Will Be Fired

• Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently hinted that over 10,000 civil servants have fake academic certificates
• On Tuesday, April 23, Gladys Shollei said all officials with fake certificates should be fired and criminally charged
• However, Kamakunji MP Yusuf Hassan argued that the issue should not be politicised as some unschooled leaders have performed well

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei has said government officials with fake certificates should be sacked with immediate effect as it is a criminal offence.

Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, April 23, the Uasin Gishu woman rep backed President William Ruto's commitment to kicking out all civil servants who secured jobs using fake academic papers.

Shollei, however, acknowledged that some leaders and state officers have been awarded honorary degrees for their work and contribution to society but maintained it still does not diminish the offence committed earlier.

"There are people who have acquired degrees from universities based on their work experience or community work. But if you acquired a fake degree to get work, that is a fraud and a criminal offence and must be criminally charged," she said.

How to resolve fake Degrees in Kenya

According to Shollei, the country is facing the challenge of fake degrees, licenses, and titles.

In verifying the validity of the degree, she recommended writing to the institution in question to acknowledge

"At the moment, the method that we have is writing to the university and asking them whether the degree in question is theirs. The moment the university confirms that you are not their student, that is enough to confirm that you have committed fraud," she said.

She further said universities should adopt a digital platform where employers can confirm their academic journey with the National Examination Council (NEC).

"All institutions should have a digital platform, where employers can check whether that person was a student there. But the ready solution is confirmation from the universities and NEC," she further explained.

She further supported the government's move to digitalize services, including certificates, as it will provide a QR code for easier validity.

Fake certificate issue should not be politicised

Kamkunji MP Yusuf Hassan, however, said the virtue of holding a certificate should not be politicised and a mark of great leaders. He argued that the issue should not be used as a factor to be sacked by the government.

"This matter should not be politicised and used as a situation where certain individuals are targeted for sacking. It is a matter of ethics, which, as a country, we should check. Ideally, some have acquired considerable experience and outperformed people with degrees," he argued.

Rise of fake certificates in the country

Deputy President Rigathi raised the issue of fake certificates in the country during the Third National Wage Bill Conference. He said they have contributed to an increased wage bill in the country.

President William Ruto further disclosed an audit report of 2100 civil servants with fake certificates. He said those possessing fake certificates will refund the money to the government.

What you need to know about fake certificates:

• DP Gachagua said he would disclose a list of officials with fake certificates
• Kitui politician was arrested impersonating with fake certificates
• In February, Public Service Commission (PSC) report showed the Ministry of Interior leading officials with fake letters
• In December 2023, Ethics Anti-Corruption Commission EACC chairperson David Oginde raised an alarm about increased fake certificates among Kenyans

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke