Kenya is mounting an aggressive nationwide campaign against the rampant forgery of academic and professional certificates that has been undermining the country’s workforce credibility. The historic first Ethics and Integrity Conference 2025 saw top government officials, education leaders and anti-corruption experts unite to confront what they call an existential threat to Kenya’s professional standards.
Abdi Mohamud, CEO of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, set the urgent tone as he revealed investigators have handled 549 certificate forgery cases since 2022, with 85 files submitted for prosecution and 13 convictions secured so far. “These fake credentials aren’t just pieces of paper – they’re weapons eroding public trust and sabotaging our national competitiveness,” Mohamud told the packed conference hall.
The crisis hits hardest among Kenya’s youth, where unemployment stands at a staggering 67% despite many graduates holding impressive qualifications. Chief of Staff Felix Koskei warned that the certificate fraud epidemic now threatens Kenya’s ambitious labor export program. “We’re securing thousands of jobs abroad, but one exposed case of forged papers could destroy our international credibility overnight,” Koskei stressed.
The government is rolling out a four-pronged attack plan. Recruitment agencies must now conduct mandatory certificate verification, with department heads facing personal liability for fraudulent hires. A new national task force combining the EACC, criminal investigators and education authorities will fast-track forgery cases. The government will also slash verification costs that often discouraged proper credential checks.
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“This isn’t just about catching cheats – we’re rebuilding an entire system where qualifications mean what they claim,” Mohamud said as he called for universities, employers and professional bodies to join forces. With Kenya’s reputation for skilled workers at stake, officials say the crackdown marks just the beginning of a long-term battle for workplace integrity.
