- The Milimani Anti-Corruption Court has charged a former Auditor-General’s official for using a forged degree to secure employment.
- Hannah Wambui Mwaura denied charges of forgery, fraud, and uttering false documents.
- EACC said it will pursue civil proceedings to reclaim Sh28 million allegedly paid through fraudulent qualifications.
A former senior official at the Office of the Auditor-General has been charged with allegedly using a forged university degree certificate to secure employment and rise through the ranks.
Hannah Wambui Mwaura, also known as Anna Wambui Mwaura, appeared before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court after investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) revealed she allegedly presented a fake Bachelor of Commerce degree certificate during recruitment.
The former Deputy Director of Audit pleaded not guilty to charges of forgery, uttering a false document, deceiving a principal, and fraudulent acquisition of public property.
EACC reported that Ms Mwaura was arrested on August 4 and booked at the Integrity Centre Police Station before being released on a Sh100,000 police cash bail pending her arraignment.
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According to the commission, the case dates back to July 2013 when the Auditor-General’s Office advertised for the position of Assistant Manager-Audit. Applicants were required to have at least eight years of audit experience, a recognised bachelor’s degree, a Master of Business Administration or related qualification, and professional accounting credentials.
Investigators established that Ms Mwaura submitted a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Option) certificate purportedly issued by Mount Kenya University in August 2010. The certificate allegedly enabled her to secure employment and later rise to the position of Deputy Director-Audit.
EACC claims that between February 2013 and May 2024, Ms Mwaura unlawfully received Sh28,468,754.14 in salaries based on the alleged fraudulent qualification. Investigations further revealed she was still a student at Mount Kenya University at the time she presented the certificate and had not graduated.
The commission forwarded the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who approved charges against her. Following her plea, the court granted cash bail of Sh450,000 or a bond of Sh1 million with a surety of a similar amount.
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EACC announced plans to institute civil proceedings to recover salaries and benefits allegedly obtained through the forged certificate. The agency also urged ministries, departments, agencies, and county governments to strengthen verification of academic and professional documents during recruitment and promotion.
The commission warned that cases involving forged qualifications will continue to be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
By Kithinji Njeru
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