The Nairobi Anti-Corruption Court has imposed a Sh5 million fine on Zinje Juma Mwadama, a former employee of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), for fraudulently obtaining academic certificates to secure employment. If he fails to pay the fine, Mwadama will face eight years in prison.
The court found that Mwadama submitted false information to a public official with the intent of securing a position at KEPHIS. In addition to the Sh100,000 fine or 12 months in prison, he is required to pay a mandatory fine of Sh4,746,834.38, equivalent to the net salary he received from KEPHIS based on the fraudulent certificate. If he does not pay this amount, he will serve an additional five years in prison.
State counsel Susan Keli established that between June 26, 2013, and April 24, 2021, Mwadama, while serving as an Assistant Inspector II, fraudulently acquired Sh4,746,834.38 from KEPHIS.
Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzioki also sentenced Mwadama to either two years in prison or a Sh200,000 fine on two counts of providing false information to a public entity, as per Section 46(1)(d) and Section 46(2) of the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012.
The court heard that on February 8, 2013, at KEPHIS, Mwadama falsely claimed to hold a Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development from Baraka Agricultural College and a Certificate in Agriculture with Distinction from Kilifi Institute of Agriculture on his employment application.
In determining the sentence, the court considered the sentencing guidelines and Mwadama’s social inquiry report.
