The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have launched an investigation into the proliferation of counterfeit academic and professional certificates within the public service.

Public Service Commission (PSC) chairman Antony Muchiri, has revealed that more than 2,000 government employees have been found to possess forged academic credentials.

During the submission of the Authentication of Certificates report to the Public Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday, he said the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Interior, and the Kenyatta National Hospital have been identified as the government entities with the highest number of fraudulent certificate cases.

Further, he lamented that the widespread occurrence of public officials using falsified qualifications to secure government positions and promotions has tarnished the reputation of the country’s civil service.

He also said that as investigations progress, individuals implicated in the scandal must come to terms with the consequences of their actions.

At the same time, the public service sector embarks on a path of introspection and reform.

On his part EACC Chief Executive Officer(CEO), Twalib Mbarak, affirmed that the agency will pursue the recovery of all salaries and benefits obtained based on fraudulent academic qualifications.

Recent investigations revealed that some public officials forge certificates or purchase fake degrees to seek employment or promotion at work in total disregard of the law.