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A candidate for the position of commissioner at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has withdrawn following a forged degree claim.

 Abdalla Mohamed, who was the first to appear before the selection panel, was forced to withdraw after he was informed that the degree certificate he produced could not be authenticated.

In a statement, panel chairperson Dr Elizabeth Muli said her team, in the course of discharging its mandate, invited members of the public to avail, in writing, by memoranda, any information of interest with respect to the suitability of any of the shortlisted candidates.

“The panel further wrote to various universities, agencies and professional bodies seeking references and background checks relating to the suitability of the nominees,” Muli said in a statement.

Provides information 

So farm she said, the panel had received feedback from the public and from various institutions, agencies and professional bodies on the candidates.

In respect to our first candidate, Abdalla Mohamed, the  panel wrote to the Kenya Methodist University  in a letter dated June 28, seeking verification of his degree certificate that was allegedly awarded on July 28, 2007. 

However, in response, Kenya Methodist University Vice-Chancellor confirmed that Mohamed has never been a student at the institution. 

“This is to confirm that Abdalla Mohamed was not a student of Kenya Methodist University.

The academic certificate BUS-1-206-05 was not issued by the institution, and is therefore a FORGERY,” a letter from the university stated.

“Pursuant to Article 47 of the Constitution and the Fair Administrative Action Act, 2015, the selection panel brought the matter to the attention of Abdalla Mohamed via email yesterday,” report from the university.

Muli said Mohamed responded on Monday and thanked the panel for its correspondence, saying he would not attend today’s interview.

“The  panel acknowledges and confirms the withdrawal of his candidature,” Muli said yesterday.

She assured that her panel will continue to discharge its mandate with regard to verification of documentation submitted.

“The selection panel calls upon relevant agencies to deal with the matter in accordance with the law,” she said.

Muli stated the panel’s commitment to ensure the nominees are qualified and meet all the requirements set out in the Constitution.

First casualty

Mohamed could become the first casualty of the State-driven campaign to flush out holders of fake academic certificates.

Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) announced early in the  year that it has embarked on a programme seeking to bring to book those holding fake documents.

KNQA Director-General Dr Juma Mukhwana noted that the national and county governments and other employers need to collaborate in weeding out quack graduates in the job market.

Mukhwana said KNQA has partnered with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, department of Immigration Services and IEBC to ensure people with fake academic papers are not allowed to use them.

“One can only imagine that with individuals holding fake doctor or engineer certificates and offering services, that could  only mean that the lives of Kenyans they serve are in danger,” Mukhwana said.

KNQA has intensified the fight to ensure only genuine graduates are allowed to work within the country and across borders.

Learning process

It is against this backdrop that the authority adopted scaffolding, which refers to a variety of instructional techniques used to move students progressively toward stronger understanding and, ultimately, greater independence in the learning process.

Education quality regulator boss said foreigners seeking employment in the country and Kenyan students studying abroad will have their academic papers go through a thorough scrutiny when seeking employment to meet the standards set by the government.