Mr. Joseph Kihara Kaburugu has been convicted for using a false academic document in an attempt to secure employment at the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company.
The case, which was handled by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, shows how fraudulent actions in job applications can lead to serious legal consequences.
According to investigations by the Commission, Mr. Kaburugu had presented a fake Diploma Certificate in Sports Science Management, which he claimed was issued by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
The findings revealed that the document was not genuine, and this became the basis for legal action.
Once the investigations were completed, the Commission submitted the case file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The DPP reviewed the evidence and gave approval for Mr. Kaburugu to be charged with forgery and uttering a false document.
The case was taken before Chief Magistrate Harrison Barasa at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on January 21, 2025. During the first court appearance, Mr. Kaburugu pleaded not guilty to all the charges, setting the stage for a full trial.
The hearing process went on for months as the prosecution and the defense presented their arguments before the court.
On September 30, 2025, the court made its ruling after considering the evidence presented. The Magistrate found Mr. Kaburugu guilty of uttering a false document, which falls under Section 353 of the Penal Code.
However, he was acquitted of the forgery charge under Section 215 of the Criminal Procedure Code, meaning the court did not find enough evidence to prove that he personally created the fake certificate.
On October 2, 2025, sentencing was delivered, and Mr. Kaburugu was ordered to pay a fine of one hundred thousand shillings.
In the event that he fails to pay the fine, he will serve one year in prison. The ruling was a clear reminder that presenting false qualifications to gain employment in a public institution is not only unethical but also a criminal offense that attracts punishment.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission welcomed the judgment and emphasized its dedication to promoting transparency and accountability in public service.
The Commission noted that such actions compromise fairness in recruitment processes and deny genuine and qualified applicants equal opportunities.
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