The government has issued a stern warning over the growing forgery of academic and professional certificates, terming it a national emergency that threatens the credibility of the education system and the integrity of public service.
Speaking during the 2025 Ethics and Integrity Conference held at a Nairobi hotel, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said the vice is a serious threat to institutional integrity and national development. "Appointments and promotions must espouse fair competition and merit, yet we are witnessing falsified certificates across sectors, from national and county governments to parastatals and independent offices," said Koskei.
Koskei cited a recent directive by the Public Service Commission requiring all public officers to have their academic and professional credentials verified, which has revealed widespread fraud further cautioning that the implications of fake credentials go beyond domestic governance.
He warned that such misconduct could undermine the country's labour export programmes. "We risk national embarrassment if unqualified individuals are exported abroad only for their incompetence to be exposed.
