EACC Arrests Senior IEBC Official for Using Forged Academic Certificates

By Collins Wanzalah

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a senior officer from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for allegedly securing employment using forged academic certificates and maintaining the position for 12 years.

Caroline Sabiri Manyange, the Manager for Boundaries Delimitation, was apprehended at her Nairobi West home on Monday and taken to the EACC Integrity Centre Police Station. She is expected to face charges in court following her arrest.

EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi confirmed the arrest, stating that investigations revealed Manyange had forged a Master of Arts (Population Studies) degree certificate, falsely claiming it was awarded by the University of Nairobi on May 9, 2004. She used the falsified degree to secure a promotion at IEBC in April 2012, resulting in her earning over Ksh37 million in cumulative salary and benefits.

“The forgery of the certificate led to her fraudulent acquisition of public property,” Ngumbi said. He further explained that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had approved EACC’s recommendation to charge Manyange with forgery under section 345, as read with section 349 of the Penal Code. She will also face charges for uttering a false document, in violation of section 353 of the Penal Code.

In addition to the criminal charges, Ngumbi noted that EACC intends to file civil proceedings to recover the Ksh37 million in salaries and benefits that Manyange earned through the use of fake academic qualifications.