Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have intensified their crackdown on county leaders accused of fraud, targeting Laikipia County Assembly Speaker Lantano Nabaala over claims of forging academic papers.
On Tuesday morning, heavily armed EACC officers stormed Nabaala’s lavish Muthaiga home in Nairobi before moving to the county assembly headquarters in Nanyuki. The raids, which lasted several hours, saw investigators ransack offices, seize files, and comb through official documents.
The high-profile operation is part of a wider push to expose county-level corruption, with the Commission warning that fake credentials and tender scandals are draining public resources and undermining governance.
EACC Steps Up Crackdown on Fake Academic Documents
The investigation into Speaker Nabaala has been ongoing for more than a year. Sources within the EACC say the probe was triggered by multiple complaints from Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) who accused him of securing his powerful position using forged academic papers.
EACC Central Region boss Japheth Baithalu confirmed that Tuesday’s raids were aimed at gathering evidence to either confirm or dismiss the allegations. Investigators are now cross-checking Nabaala’s submitted academic qualifications with official school and university records.
Nabaala has already been questioned by detectives, though he has not made any public statement on the matter. The Commission’s mandate allows it to recommend criminal charges should evidence of forgery be found.
The scandal has stirred political tensions in Laikipia, with some MCAs calling for Nabaala’s immediate resignation pending the outcome of the investigation. Others, however, claim the raids are politically motivated.
Political Pressure Mounts Over Fake Academic Documents
The issue of fake credentials in Kenyan politics has been a recurring problem, with several leaders previously removed from office for similar offenses. Forged academic papers undermine public trust and raise serious questions about the vetting process for senior public officials.
If found guilty, Nabaala could face charges under the Penal Code and the Leadership and Integrity Act. Convictions for such offenses have, in the past, led to disqualification from holding public office and lengthy prison terms.
Some civil society groups are now demanding that the Ministry of Education work closely with EACC to establish a national database to verify the academic qualifications of all elected and appointed leaders.
EACC Targets More County Leaders
The raid on Nabaala’s properties is part of a larger anti-corruption campaign. EACC Chairperson David Oginde revealed that nine sitting governors are currently under investigation for graft. These cases are at different stages, and they involve both procurement irregularities and unexplained wealth.
Oginde described corruption in the counties as “alarming” and warned that the Commission will not hesitate to go after junior and senior officials alike. “It is not just governors,” he stressed. “It goes all the way down to other staff in the counties.”
The announcement comes just days after EACC raided the homes and offices of six senior officials from Busia County in connection with a Ksh1.4 billion tender scandal. Investigators suspect that 26 proxy companies were used to win lucrative county tenders during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years.
Calls for Stronger Vetting and Transparency
The Nabaala investigation has reignited debate over the integrity of public servants in Kenya. Critics say that the current vetting process is too lax, allowing individuals with questionable backgrounds to occupy key positions in government.
Governance experts argue that requiring strict verification of academic documents before one assumes office could prevent scandals like this. They also warn that political patronage often shields powerful figures from accountability, making it difficult for investigative bodies to complete their work.
