EACC Detectives Arrest Former Kisumu ICT Director over Fake Certificates

Former ICT director, Nick Odhiambo in a past address in Kisumu|PHOTO COURTESY|

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) sleuths have apprehended a former senior county official in Kisumu over alleged fake certificates.

Nick Odhiambo Migot who worked as the Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), accumulated a wealth amounting to over Kshs. 4.6 million during the period he worked for Kisumu county government from the job he fraudulently secured.

According to EACC spokesperson Eric Gumbi, the suspect forged a degree certificate from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and forged KCSE certificate, which he presented during his job interview.

“Investigations revealed that the suspect forged a Bachelor of Science (BSC) in Computer Science Degree Certificate, falsely attributing it to the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Certificate, purporting it to have been issued by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC),” said Ngumbi.

“He presented these fake documents to the County Public Service Board of Kisumu, which interviewed him for the position,” he added.

After conducting investigations into the alleged forgery, the EACC forwarded the case to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who approved three charges against Odhiambo.

The offences include forgery contrary to Section 345 as read with Section 349 of the Penal Code, uttering a false document contrary to Section 353 and Fraudulent acquisition of public property contrary to Section 45(1)(a) as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.

The former ICT director is currently detained at Kisumu Central Police Station and will be arraigned in court tomorrow.

The EACC has warned the general public against forgery while urging recruiters to properly scrutinize all academic documents submitted by candidates seeking employment.

The body further confirmed its commitment in dealing with suspected cases of forgery under the relevant Public Service Regulations to ensure suspects are charged in accordance with the law.