PSC blames outdated technology for rise in fake certificates in civil service
Francis Meja says the system being used to verify academic papers is slow and costly...
✨ Key Highlights
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has identified outdated technology as the primary reason for the rise in fake academic certificates within the Kenyan civil service. The commission stated that current verification methods are slow, costly, and create loopholes exploited by individuals seeking public employment with forged credentials.
- The PSC is collaborating with the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to implement a modern, integrated system for instant document authentication.
- PSC Chairperson Francis Meja emphasized that this new system will allow for the detection of fake academic documents "at the press of a button."
- In the period of June 2022 to June 2023, 202 public servants were dismissed for submitting forged academic documents, with an additional 58 staff members resigning.
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Government Printer at Risk of Shutdown Over Ksh475.4M Debt - April 2026
The Government Printer faces potential shutdown due to a significant debt of Ksh475.4 million and budget cuts, which could lead to a shortage of crucial government documents including national IDs, smart driving licenses, and birth certificates. Huduma Kenya is urging Kenyans to collect their awaiting personal identification documents from designated service centres nationwide amid these concerns. In Kirinyaga County, leaders are pressing the Kenyan government to expedite the issuance of national identity cards to prevent residents from being disenfranchised in upcoming elections. The Public Service Commission has identified outdated technology as the primary reason for the rise in fake academic certificates within the civil service, with current verification methods being slow, costly, and creating loopholes exploited by individuals seeking public employment with forged credentials. The PSC is now implementing a new verification process to combat fraudulent academic certificates, potentially affecting thousands of jobs.
