Former Machakos County Government Chief Officer Joseph Mutwiwa Munyao in court/HANDOUT
Former Machakos County Government Chief Officer Joseph Mutwiwa Munyao has been charged with allegedly forging and using academic certificates to secure a senior position in the county administration.
Munyao was arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on August 31, 2026, before being arraigned at the Machakos Law Courts, where he denied all the charges.
The former chief officer was released on a cash bail of Sh1 million or an alternative bond of Sh2 million with a surety of a similar amount.
According to the EACC, investigations established that Munyao allegedly forged a Bachelor of Commerce degree certificate in Accounting purportedly issued by the University in 2004.
"On unknown dates and place within the
Republic of Kenya, with the intent to deceive, you forged a Bachelor of
Commerce Degree Certificate (Accounting option), Second Class Honours
(Upper Division) awarded bearing the name, Munyao Joseph Mutwiwa and
you purported it to be a genuine Degree Certificate issued to you by the
University of Nairobi, a fact you knew to be false," the charge sheet reads.
The commission also alleges that he forged a Certified Public Accountants (CPA) Final Examination Certificate dated June 2019.
EACC said the certificates were allegedly used to support Munyao's appointment as Chief Officer, Industry and Innovation in the Machakos County Government.
it said he held the position from January to November 2023.
During his tenure, Munyao allegedly earned salaries amounting to Sh1,585,967.90, which the anti-corruption agency says were obtained through the use of the disputed academic qualifications.
The case arose from investigations by EACC into the authenticity of the academic documents presented in connection with his appointment to the county government position.
The Commission said its investigations established that the certificates purportedly used by Munyao were allegedly fraudulent.
Following the conclusion of its investigations, EACC forwarded the inquiry file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for review and directions.
The DPP subsequently approved charges against the former chief officer relating to the alleged use of the disputed academic qualifications.
Munyao faces charges of fraudulent acquisition of public property, uttering a false document and forgery of academic certificates.
The anti-corruption agency indicated that it would pursue the recovery of the alleged funds.
“EACC will also institute civil proceedings to recover the salaries and other benefits allegedly obtained through the use of the fraudulent academic qualifications,” the commission said.
