KFS responds after ranger is slapped with 5-year jail sentence in forgery scandal
By Mustafa Juma, August 17, 2024
Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has broken its silence after one of its rangers was sentenced to five years in prison, or pay a fine of Ksh500,000, for an offence of forging his academic papers.
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in a statement issued on Friday, August 16, 2024, said an Eldoret court had sentenced Sergeant Godfrey Maundu Nzilu on four counts.
“An Eldoret Court has sentenced a Kenya Forest Service Sergeant to pay a fine of Kshs 500,000 or serve 5 years in prison for uttering false documents and forgery. Senior Principal Magistrate Hon Peter Areri sentenced Godfrey Maundu Nzilu on four counts of uttering false documents contrary to section 353 of the Penal Code, and one count of forgery contrary to section 349 of the Penal Code,” ODPP said in the statement.
In response, KFS says it does not condone such practices and takes a firm stance against any form of misconduct.
In a statement issued on Saturday, August 17, 2024, KFS said they are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism within their ranks.
“Following the recent sentencing of Godfrey Maundu Nzilu, a former Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Forest Ranger. The Service wishes to categorically state that it does not condone such practices and takes a firm stance against any form of misconduct, including the forgery of academic documents.
“The Service is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism within our ranks and the sentencing of Mr. Nzilu to a five-year jail term or payment of Ksh 500,000 fine by Eldoret High Court is a clear demonstration of our dedication to enforcing ethical conduct,” the KFS statement reads.
KFS further stated that they will continue to implement internal guidelines to ensure such incidents are dealt with decisively.
“KFS continues to implement internal guidelines to ensure such incidents are dealt with decisively and the Service remains committed to transparency and accountability in all its operations,” KFS stated.
SENTENCING OF KFS FOREST RANGER FOR FORGERY OF ACADEMIC CERTIFICATES pic.twitter.com/0xDVayozRM
— Kenya Forest Service (@KeForestService) August 17, 2024
The sentenced KFS ranger is accused of presenting a forged Diploma certificate from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) to his employer, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
The accused, according to the ODPP, is also said to have submitted a forged Bachelor’s degree and a Diploma certificate in Criminology and Forensic Studies to Moi University for authentication.
“The accused had presented a forged Diploma certificate from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) to his employer, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). He also submitted forged Bachelor’s and Diploma certificates in Criminology and Forensic Studies to Moi University for authentication, for courses he never attended at either institution,” the ODPP stated.