A major scandal has rocked Migori County, where employees implicated in a fake certificates scam face an uncertain future as their resignation letters have been rejected by their employer. The county has opted for disciplinary action instead, following the discovery of forged credentials.
A recent audit by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) uncovered that 95 out of 2,700 county employees had falsified their primary and secondary school certificates to secure their jobs. In response to the revelation, more than 25 of these individuals attempted to resign, hoping for a smooth exit. However, Migori County has made it clear that resignation is not an option.
Migori County Secretary Oscar Olima, in an interview, emphasized the county’s stance on the matter. “Resignation is not an option for any of them; they have to go through disciplinary action as the law demands, and we have not accepted any resignation letters,” Olima stated. He added that those found with counterfeit credentials had been immediately removed from the payroll and were awaiting disciplinary procedures to determine their future.
“None of them is on the county payroll. Should we find any reason, we can return them after the disciplinary action is carried out in full,” Olima explained. He further noted that the county’s responsibility extends to dismissing the implicated employees, after which authorized law enforcement agencies, such as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), can proceed with prosecutions.
Olima also highlighted the possibility of reinstating employees after a thorough investigation if valid reasons are identified during the due process. This statement follows an extensive audit conducted by Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko’s administration, in collaboration with the Institute of Human Resources Management. The audit also resulted in the removal of 607 ghost workers from the county’s payroll, further highlighting the county’s commitment to rooting out fraudulent practices.
The county’s decisive actions against employees with forged certificates underscore its commitment to upholding integrity and accountability within its workforce. As the disciplinary process unfolds, the fate of those involved in the scandal remains to be seen, with potential legal ramifications on the horizon.
