Suspect likely be surcharged Sh3.3 million for personation

Teachers Service Commission CEO Nancy Macharia responds to queries when she appeared before the National Assembly Education Committee on the Budget Policy Statement 2023 on February 28, 2023. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

A man has been charged in court with securing a job at the Teachers Service Commission using another person's academic papers.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission officers arrested Isaiah Okombo Otieno at Nyakeyo Market, Etago Area of South Mugirango Sub-County within Kisii County.

Okombo, alias Daudi Ochoi Magero alias Duncan Ochoi Magero is alleged to have fraudulently secured a job at the TSC using academic certificates Daudi Ochoi Magero alias Duncan Ochoi Magero.

He is said to have used Magero's Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Primary Teacher Training certificates.

The suspect, without authority and with fraudulent intent, assumed the names of the complainant as indicated in the certificates and falsely presented himself to be the person named in the documents for employment.

Okombo was yesterday presented before the Kisii Anti-Corruption Court and charged with seven counts of criminal offences as follows.

He is accused of personation of a person contrary to section 384 of the Penal Code, providing false information to a person employed in the public service contrary to section 129(a) of the Penal Code and fraudulent acquisition of public property, contrary to the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.

The suspect fraudulently secured a Government job as a PI Teacher, which he was not qualified for, and earned a total salary amounting Sh3, 335,218 during his period of employment from February 2007 to May, 1,2019.

When EACC commenced investigations, TSC undertook disciplinary proceedings leading to dismissal of the suspect from employment.

A statement from EACC read: "As part of the EACC strategy to mitigate the challenge of forged or fake academic certificates in the country, the Commission will, besides criminal investigations, continue to file suits to recover the salaries and benefits paid on the basis of fake academic qualifications."