A senior official in the Bomet County Government has been named in a complaint raising serious questions about the authenticity of the academic qualifications used to secure a senior public service position.
The complaint identifies Chepkirui Marcella, who was employed in September 2023 as the Principal Public Participation Officer in the Department of Administration, Public Service and Special Programs.
According to the complainants, the official presented a Bachelor of Business Management degree specialising in Human Resource Management, purportedly awarded by Inoorero University on November 14, 2014. They claim the academic certificate is forged and want the circumstances surrounding its presentation, verification and acceptance during recruitment investigated.
This raises questions about the academic verification procedures followed by the Bomet County Public Service Board when recruiting senior government employees. The complainants are calling on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and relevant education authorities to authenticate the degree directly with the issuing institution, examine the officer's recruitment records and establish whether the qualifications presented met the requirements of the position.
They also want the county government to account for the verification process undertaken before the September 2023 appointment. Any finding that falsified academic documents were knowingly used to obtain public employment would warrant appropriate action under Kenyan law, including examination of the legality of the appointment and public funds paid in connection with it.
REPORT OF THE USE OF A FORGED ACADEMIC DEGREE CERTIFICATE BY A SENIOR PUBLIC OFFICIAL IN BOMET COUNTY GOVERNMENT
We are writing to reveal a critical case of academic fraud and the presentation of falsified qualifications to secure a public position within the Bomet County Government.
Details regarding the suspect, the suspicious qualification, and the institution are outlined below for your immediate review and action: Details: Full Name: Chepkirui Marcella ID: 25202 o Current Job Title/Designation: Principal Public Participation Officer (employed September, 2023) o Place of Work: Bomet County Department of Administration, Public Service and Special Programs Details of the Falsified Document: o Degree Claimed: Bachelor of Business Management (Human Resource Option) o Purported Institution: Inoorero University o Graduation Year Listed: 14th November 2014
FACTS: First, Inoorero University held its Graduation on Friday 28th November, 2014 at Inoorero University Parklands Campus and NOT on 14th November 2014 as shown on the forged Degree certificate. (See attached).
Secondly, the official name of the Degree Course was Bachelor of Business Management (Human Resource Management) and NOT Bachelor of Business Management (Human Resource Option) as shown on the forged Degree certificate. (See attached)
The suspect is currently employed by the Bomet County Government and is drawing a salary funded by taxpayers based on credentials they did not legally earn.
There are credible reasons to believe that the degree certificate presented and purported to be from Inoorero University is entirely forged and fraudulent. It is indeed sad the individual is using invalid or fabricated papers to unlawfully hold a public office to the detriment of qualified citizens.
The suspect continues to receive public salaries, allowances, and benefits based entirely on a fraudulent job placement, constituting an abuse of office and a theft of public resources.
Note, we are providing the following details: A copy of the forged Inoorero University degree certificate is attached Official List of graduants that year (November 2014) from Inoorero University i.e. extract of the specific course list Note: her name conspicuously missing Gazettement/official announcement of the 6th Graduation ceremony by Inoorero University
We request that the relevant agencies move quickly to audit the suspect's academic papers to protect Bomet County public resources, and initiate recovery of all unlawfully earned wages.
Thank you for your dedication to upholding integrity in our public service. Yours faithfully, Anonymous