A Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) employee has been arraigned in court after investigators uncovered that she used a forged Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) document to secure employment at the public utility firm.
The suspect, Teresia Chepkemoi Chepkwony, was charged at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court with multiple counts including forgery, uttering false documents, deceiving a principal, and fraudulent acquisition of public property.
According to the charge sheet, Chepkemoi allegedly forged a KCSE certificate claiming she had sat her exams at Boron Secondary School and obtained a mean grade of C+. She is accused of presenting the document to Nairobi Water’s human resources department, where it was accepted as genuine.
Millions Earned Through Deception
Court documents indicate that between March 2013 and December 2023, the accused unlawfully earned over KSh 7.5 million in salaries and allowances based on the forged qualifications.
Prosecutors told the court that Chepkemoi held various positions within the company, including Revenue Collection Assistant and Technician, which required verified academic credentials.
The fake certificate was discovered after routine background checks by investigators from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), leading to her arrest and subsequent arraignment.
Court Proceedings and Bail Terms
Chepkemoi denied all the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki.
She was released on a cash bail of KSh 100,000 or an alternative bond of KSh 500,000 with one surety.
The court directed her to deposit her travel documents and provide two reliable contact persons pending the hearing of the case.
The matter will be mentioned again on September 3, 2025, for further directions.
Public Reaction and Accountability
The case has reignited discussions on academic forgery and corruption within Kenya’s public institutions.
Many Kenyans expressed concern that such cases continue to occur despite existing verification systems.
Integrity advocates have urged public agencies to strengthen document verification and background checks to ensure only qualified individuals are employed.
The Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident but is expected to cooperate fully with investigators.
Broader Implications
Cases like Chepkemoi’s highlight the urgent need for accountability and transparency in Kenya’s public sector hiring.
The alleged misuse of forged credentials not only results in loss of public funds but also denies opportunities to genuinely qualified individuals.
The EACC continues to warn that those found guilty of such offences could face imprisonment, hefty fines, and recovery of unlawfully acquired salaries.
Conclusion
The Nairobi Water forgery case serves as a powerful reminder that dishonesty in public service will eventually be exposed.
As investigations proceed, Kenyans hope the judiciary will deliver justice — setting an example that integrity must remain at the heart of public service.
