EACC arrests ex-IEBC staff for fake degree in promotion bid

The EACC detained former IEBC worker Lukaa Musamali Mukimi for reportedly submitting a fake Bachelor of Arts degree to obtain a promotion. I...

• The EACC detained former IEBC worker Lukaa Musamali Mukimi for reportedly submitting a fake Bachelor of Arts degree to obtain a promotion.
• Inquiries showed that the certificate, claimed to be from Moi University, was fake, leading to legal actions.
• Mukimi was charged with fraud, presenting a false document, and misleading a principal at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court.
• He rejected all the allegations and was released after paying a cash bond of KSh 200,000, with the case scheduled for review on December 4.

Didacus Malowa, a reporter for okay1.co.ke, has more than three years of expertise in reporting on political and contemporary issues in Kenya.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has detained a former member of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on charges related to academic misconduct.

On Friday, November 21, in a statement, the EACC asserted that Lukaa Musamali Mukimi, who was employed at IEBC, intentionally submitted fake academic credentials as authentic.

How did EACC focus on former IEBC employees?

Mukimi was taken into custody on Wednesday, November 19, accused of submitting a fake Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies (Public Administration) diploma to obtain a promotion.

The document, claimed to have been issued by Moi University, was discovered to be fake following the Commission's inquiry into allegations of academic fraud.

The EACC stated that the case demonstrates its steadfast dedication to maintaining honesty in the public sector and taking action against efforts to interfere with hiring processes.

Investigations began, and it was confirmed that the document had been forged and that the suspect intentionally presented it as authentic. 'The EACC reiterates its dedication to fighting fraud and maintaining integrity within the public service,' said the EACC, EACC stated.

What did the former IEBC official face charges for?

After the investigation, EACC submitted the results to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who gave approval for criminal charges against Mukimi.

A former IEBC employee was later brought before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on Thursday, November 20, 2025, and is facing several charges.

"He faced charges of Forgery under Section 345 in conjunction with Section 349 of the Penal Code; Fabricating a False Document under Section 353 of the Penal Code; and Deceiving a Principal under Section 41(2)(b) together with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, No. 3 of 2003," EACC stated.

At the Milimani Law Courts, Mukimi refuted all accusations made against him.

The leading judge set his release with a cash deposit of KSh 200,000 or a different guarantee of KSh 500,000, supported by a single guarantor of similar worth.

The matter is set to be discussed on Thursday, December 4, 2025, in front of Hon. Okore, SPM.

Why did a former Nairobi candidate face imprisonment?

This case contributes to an increasing number of situations in which public officials have been subjected to legal consequences for falsely presenting academic work and engaging in deceit.

In an earlier report, Gabriel Bukachi Chapia, a former candidate for a Nairobi senatorial position, received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence following his guilty plea to charges of forgery and fraud.

Officials disclosed that Bukachi forged three educational qualifications: a master's degree in information technology from Daystar University, a computer science degree from Maseno University, and a certificate in project management from the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru.

He obtained unauthorized employment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, the Kenya Investment Authority, and the Nairobi City County Government using fake documents.

Besides the prison sentence, he was required to refund a total amount of KSh 3,917,102.56 to the organizations he deceived.