Proposal for Amnesty From Ruto's Close Ally for Civil Servants with Fake Certificates Sparks Debate

 National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei has started a heated discussion with her suggestion for an amnesty program aimed at civil servants holding counterfeit academic certificates.

Shollei proposes that these employees should be allowed to resign without facing arrest or prosecution, a view that contradicts President William Ruto's tough stance on the matter.

National Assembly Deputy speaker 

During an interview on Citizen TV, Shollei supported a more forgiving approach, saying, "Let's offer amnesty to anyone with a fake degree or certificate, allowing them to resign without fear of consequences." She believes this method would help clean up the system without burdening the judiciary.

However, President Ruto, speaking at the National Wage Bill Conference last week, took a firm position, demanding resignations and repayment of salaries earned through deceitful means. He declared, "Those who obtained money using fake certificates should return public funds."

The clash between Shollei's proposal and Ruto's demand for accountability highlights the complexity of dealing with the issue of fake academic qualifications in the public sector.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has identified over 2,000 civil servants working with fraudulent certificates. According to the PSC, common forms of forgery include altering exam results, presenting fake certificates, and misrepresenting academic credentials.

EACC Chairman David Oginde, CEO Twalib Mbarak, and Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin have assured the public of prompt action against those involved in such deceitful activities. They pledged to recover unlawfully earned salaries and pursue criminal charges when necessary.

Despite the seriousness of the matter, in March, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) hinted at the possibility of alternative dispute resolution for individuals willing to return illegally acquired salaries. However, this approach does not exempt them from potential criminal charges.

Charles Rasugu, the North Rift EACC Regional Manager, urged offenders to voluntarily surrender their ill-gotten gains.

The proposal for amnesty has elicited mixed reactions among stakeholders. While some advocate for leniency to encourage voluntary resignations, others emphasize the need for strict law enforcement to deter future misconduct.