EACC investigates cases of gov't employees with fake certificates

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is in the process of investigating several cases of individuals who got jobs especially in the government using fake certificates.

According to EACC chairperson David Oginde, several people with fake certificates have been taken to court and the commission recovered the monies they were paid during the entire period they worked and that some had to pay back millions of shillings and got sacked for the offence.

"The commission recently handed over to the President some of the properties that we recovered from various individuals,they included land ,money and other assets recovered across the country," said Bishop Oginde.

"That was an achievement for us because there are many people who are committed to converting public resources to themselves and we are saying that cannot happen," he added.

Speaking during the 2024 Annual CITAM Church Business Forum in Eldoret, Bishop Oginde regretted that corruption has become widespread in the country.

He acknowledged that the commission is unable to cover every sector where corruption happens because of limitations ranging from inadequate funding and human resources.

"Investigating corruption especially big corruption is a very expensive exercise. Many of big corruption individuals have international connections so you find that money that is stolen locally is stored in another country and for you to investigate you require officers to travel to those nations and that is very expensive. The budget that we are given does not enable us do our work to the best of our ability," noted the chairperson.

Bishop Ogendo however encouraged the business community to share ideas and focus on doing ethical business for lasting prosperity.

"The expo provides opportunity for people to showcase what they are doing and encouraged to navigate challenges faced so to remain a remain a brand," said Bishop Oginde.

Senior Pastor at Eldoret CITAM Church Rev Elphas Bwire said the event is hosted every year in the months of October and November with an objective to provide an opportunity for different people to showcase what they are doing and participate in sessions where ideas are shared to sharpen them with skills on how to venture into business and how to navigate challenges in the sector and eventually succeed.

The exhibition whose theme was "Expanding Horizons, Pioneering the Future of Business" was attended by more than 500 residents of Uasin Gishu with close to 100 exhibitors showcasing their work.

The exhibitors thanked the organisers, noting that they learned many lessons of business ethics and business process, how to improve their soft skills as businesses and managers, and how to unlock financing for the businesses.

Ms Sophia Kipchumba, one of the exhibitors, lauded the expo which she said is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to exchange ideas.

"The good thing I’ve learned about in this workshop is how to start a business. You are supposed to start small, grow big," said Ms Kipchumba.