The Milimani Anti-Corruption Court has convicted a former Revenue Officer at the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Limited and sentenced him to pay Sh5 million or serve a five-year jail term.
In a statement, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) said the accused, Okandah William John, was found guilty on multiple charges, including forgery, uttering a false document, deceiving a principal, and fraudulent acquisition of public property.
“A former Revenue Officer at Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Limited has been convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of Sh 5,049,597 or serve a five-year prison term after being found guilty of using forged academic credentials to secure employment and fraudulently earning public funds.
“Mr. Okandah William John was convicted by the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on multiple counts of forgery, uttering a false document, deceiving a principal, and fraudulent acquisition of public property,” EACC said.
Investigations conducted by EACC established that Okandah secured employment at the public utility company using a forged Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting purportedly issued by the University of Nairobi.
The commission said the fake academic credentials enabled him to secure the position and subsequently earn Sh4,749,597 in salaries and benefits during his tenure.
In a judgment delivered on 28 May 2026, the court underscored the importance of integrity in public service, noting that honesty and adherence to ethical principles are essential in safeguarding public resources and promoting accountability.
The court observed that integrity plays a critical role in reducing fraud, corruption, and legal disputes, thereby easing the burden on the justice system and enabling public institutions to function more effectively and efficiently.
On 3 June 2026, Justice Celesa Okare sentenced the accused to pay a mandatory fine equivalent to the amount fraudulently acquired, Sh4,749,597, or serve two years’ imprisonment in default.
The Court further imposed fines of Sh100,000 for each of the remaining counts, with a default sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment.
The sentences are to run concurrently, bringing the total financial penalty to Sh5,049,597, or a five-year custodial sentence in default.
