The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has cautioned Kenyans against falling prey to fraudsters issuing fake integrity clearance certificates at a fee.

In a statement, EACC said it does not charge any fees for processing integrity clearance for Kenyans seeking employment.

EACC’s free services

“EACC does not charge any fees for processing integrity clearance for job applicants/self-declaration forms under the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012. The service is offered for free,” EACC said.

EACC further noted that the authority does not issue any integrity certificates or clearance letters to individuals.

“Employers are urged to immediately notify EACC of any individual who presents such a letter to them claiming that it has been issued by EACC. Upon receipt of a self-declaration form from the applicant, EACC issues an acknowledgment receipt in the case of online processing or a stamped copy of the self-declaration form in the event of manual processing.

“It is either of these documents that an applicant is required to present to the institutions where they are required. EACC issues confidential reports on the integrity status of the applicants directly to the requesting institutions under the prevailing administrative framework,” EACC said.

EACC’s warning to the public comes just days after two women were arrested in Kakamega County while imposting as law-enforcing officers. The women were arrested after they demanded a bribe of Ksh50,000 from a trader in order to return goods they had impounded from his supermarket at the Khayega shopping centre.

Ruth Kaimuri and Tabitha Kwena Wangeci were arrested while discharging functions including criminal investigations, arrests, an inspection of stock in shops to verify compliance with standards and expiry dates, business operating licenses, and tax compliance by traders.