The County Government of Machakos is set to dismiss 121 staff members who were found to have used fake certificates to secure their employment. This decisive action follows a comprehensive verification exercise conducted in collaboration with the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC).
County Secretary Dr. Muya Ndambuki revealed that the discovery was made after the county administration requested KNEC to authenticate the certificates of 5,018 staff members. The verification process uncovered that the certificates of 121 employees were not genuine, leading to the county’s decision to remove them from the payroll.
“In February 2024, we requested the Kenya National Examination Council to authenticate the certificates of 5,018 staff members. Upon verification, copies of 121 staff members were found not to be genuine,” stated Dr. Ndambuki during a press conference held at the Governor’s office on Monday, June 24. He was accompanied by Devolution County Executive Committee Member Joel Nzomo, County Public Service Chief Officer Lawrence Maingi, and County Public Service Board Chairman Albanus Mutisya, among other officials.
Dr. Ndambuki also indicated that the number of fraudulent cases might increase, as several other cases are still under investigation by KNEC. This ongoing scrutiny underscores the county’s commitment to upholding integrity and accountability within its workforce.
The Machakos County Government’s swift response to the issue reflects its zero-tolerance policy towards fraud and underscores the importance of genuine qualifications for public service positions. The officials emphasized that ensuring the authenticity of staff credentials is crucial for maintaining public trust and delivering quality services to the residents of Machakos.
The move to authenticate employee certificates aligns with broader national efforts to combat corruption and enhance the integrity of public service in Kenya. The Machakos County Government’s initiative serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous vetting processes and the consequences of fraudulent practices.
As investigations continue, the county administration has reassured the public of its commitment to transparency and accountability in all its operations. The affected employees will be duly removed from the payroll, and appropriate measures will be taken to fill the resulting vacancies with qualified and vetted candidates.
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