Over 200 Parliament Employees Found With Fake Academic Papers

Parliamentary Staff Crackdown: Over 200 Employees Found With Fake Academic Papers

A recent investigation into the academic qualifications of parliamentary staff in Kenya has exposed over 200 employees holding fake certificates.

This scandal highlights concerns about ethics and corruption in government employment.

Key Findings of the Crackdown

Scale of the Issue: The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) audit found both senior and junior staff with fraudulent academic papers. The audit covered Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), diplomas, degrees, and master’s certificates.
Impacted Staff: Staff on the PSC payroll are under review, and it is expected to extend to employees in MPs’ constituency offices, with approximately 1,300 parliamentary employees currently on the PSC payroll.
High-Level Implications: Some of those affected include top directors, deputies, and long-serving employees nearing retirement, as well as aides to parliamentary leaders.

Panic and Confidentiality

The crackdown has caused widespread panic in Parliament, with fears that more staff members will be affected.
The PSC has approached the investigation discreetly, but insiders revealed that many employees hold positions they are not qualified for.

Responses from PSC and Officials

PSC’s Stance: The PSC has declined to comment publicly. Efforts to reach the commission’s chairman, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, and other commissioners for comment have been unsuccessful.
Internal Reactions: Some commissioners want the fraudulent employees to resign quietly, while others advocate for their cases to be referred to investigative agencies.

Possible Outcomes for Implicated Employees

Two Choices: Employees caught with fake papers face two options – either resign or undergo criminal investigations.
Potential Dismissal: While some officials support a quiet dismissal, others argue for legal action against the offenders.

Government Crackdown on Fake Certificates

This issue reflects a broader problem within Kenya’s public sector:

President’s Warning: In April 2024, President William Ruto called for the resignation of public employees found with fake certificates and demanded they repay the salaries earned.
Public Service Commission’s Actions: The PSC had earlier directed all government agencies to verify their staff’s academic papers, following revelations that many had submitted fraudulent credentials.

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Background and Broader Impact

Previous Attempts to Address the Issue: In 2021, the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) revealed that nearly 250,000 civil servants possessed fake certificates. However, a court halted their efforts to address this fraud.
Alarming Statistics: Former KNQA Director General Juma Mukhwana estimated that about 30% of government employees hold fake qualifications, sparking a debate on fairness and integrity.

Next Steps and Legal Implications

The PSC plans to work with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to pursue legal action against those found guilty of forgery. This crackdown aims to set a precedent for transparency and accountability in public service.

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This scandal demonstrates a significant issue with accountability in government hiring practices and may prompt further audits across other sectors.