The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a senior official of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Ms. Caroline Sabiri Manyange, over serious allegations of forgery and fraud.
Manyange, who held the position of Manager for Boundaries Delimitation, has been accused of using forged academic certificates to secure employment and promotions within the IEBC since April 2012.
This has allowed her to earn over Ksh 37 million in salaries and benefits over the past 12 years.
Ms. Manyange was apprehended at her home in Nairobi West and is currently held at EACC’s Integrity Centre Police Station.
She is expected to be arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court later today.
The EACC’s spokesperson, Eric Ngumbi, confirmed her arrest and highlighted the shocking nature of the case, which has raised serious concerns about the level of integrity within Kenya’s electoral body.
Investigations revealed that Manyange presented a falsified Master of Arts (Population Studies) degree from the University of Nairobi, which she claimed was awarded on May 9, 2004.
The forged degree was used not only to secure a position at the IEBC but also to gain promotions, which enabled her to accumulate substantial earnings at the expense of public funds.
The fraudulent acquisition of these funds over a period of more than a decade constitutes a significant breach of public trust and raises questions about the vetting processes within IEBC.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) supported the EACC’s findings, recommending that Manyange be charged with two offenses forgery, under section 345 of the Penal Code, and uttering false documents, under section 353.
These charges carry severe penalties, as they reflect deliberate fraud and the unlawful acquisition of public property.
In addition to the criminal charges, the EACC intends to pursue civil proceedings aimed at recovering the entire amount of Ksh 37 million that Manyange fraudulently earned through her deception.
This move is in line with EACC’s broader mission to ensure that public resources are protected and that those who engage in corrupt practices are held accountable.
Ms. Manyange’s arrest is part of a larger, troubling trend in Kenya, where several high-ranking public officials have been exposed for using forged documents to secure government positions.
These cases have sparked outrage across the country, particularly as many qualified individuals struggle to access public sector jobs.
The ease with which Manyange was able to forge her way into a senior role at IEBC underscores the need for stronger vetting mechanisms within public institutions to prevent such incidents from recurring.
This scandal also casts a shadow over the credibility of the IEBC, an institution already under intense scrutiny for its role in managing elections in Kenya.
The discovery that a senior official involved in delimiting electoral boundaries had forged qualifications raises fears about the competence and integrity of key players within the electoral system.
This case serves as a reminder of the need for transparency and accountability within the body to restore public confidence.
The EACC’s swift action in arresting Manyange sends a clear message that fraud and corruption within public institutions will not be tolerated.
However, this case also highlights the gaps in oversight that allowed Manyange’s deception to go undetected for over a decade.
As investigations continue, the public will be keen to see whether further reforms will be implemented to prevent similar cases in the future.
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