By Andrew Mbuva
A former Revenue Officer at Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Limited has been convicted and ordered to pay a fine of KSh 5,049,597 or serve a five-year jail term after being found guilty of securing employment using forged academic credentials and unlawfully earning public funds.
Mr. Okandah William John was convicted by the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on several counts, including forgery, uttering a false document, deceiving a principal, and fraudulent acquisition of public property.
According to investigations conducted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Mr. Okandah fraudulently obtained employment at the public utility company by presenting a forged Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Option) degree certificate purportedly issued by the University of Nairobi. Through the fraudulent employment, he received KSh 4,749,597 in salaries and benefits.
In a judgment delivered on May 28, 2026, the court emphasized the critical role of integrity in public service, noting that honesty and adherence to ethical standards are essential in safeguarding public resources and promoting accountability.
The court further observed that integrity helps reduce cases of fraud, corruption, and legal disputes, thereby easing the burden on the justice system and enhancing the efficiency of public institutions.
On June 3, 2026, Hon. Celesa Okare sentenced Mr. Okandah to pay a mandatory fine equivalent to the amount fraudulently acquired, KSh 4,749,597, or serve a two-year prison term in default. Additional fines of KSh 100,000 were imposed for each of the remaining counts, with a default sentence of 12 months' imprisonment.
The sentences are to run concurrently, resulting in a total financial penalty of KSh 5,049,597 or a five-year custodial sentence in default of payment.
The conviction underscores EACC's ongoing efforts to protect public resources, uphold integrity in public service, and ensure accountability in recruitment and employment processes within public institutions.
