EACC acts on fake academic papers menace
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has now moved to rein in rampant cases of falsification and forgery of academic certificates.
Deputy CEO Abdi Mohamud said EACC has over the years received and investigated numerous allegations involving falsification of academic certificates and there is need to establish mechanisms to deter cases of forgery.
He said the most prevalent irregularities noted include alteration of grades in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) to gain admission into graduate and postgraduate programmes.
“The trend is appalling and presents a direct threat to integrity of our education system as well as compromising the value of public service in this country, if unchecked,” said Mohamud.
He made the remarks in a letter to all Vice Chancellors, Chairpersons of university councils, academic registrars and CEOs of Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), Kenya National Qualifications Authority and Commission for University Education (CUE) respectively.
“The purpose of this letter is to communicate this advisory and request for a collaborative and innovative approach among yourselves, in adopting measures that will help to deter this vice in the country in the country, going forward,” he said in the letter.
Other rampant irregularities, Mohamud said, include alteration of names on genuine certificates to enable impersonation so as to apply for admission to learning institutions or seek employment.
EACC said there have also been cases of missing admission records or documents and other relevant information from a student’s file or profile thus making it difficult or impossible for law enforcement agencies to verify the bona fides of a person when investigating allegations.
Mohamud urged the agencies to establish and operationalize mechanisms to ensure the authenticity of academic records that are submitted by applicants to the various graduate and postgraduate programmes.
