By Robert Mutasi 
The director of a private college in Eldoret is in police custody after detectives from the DCI arrested him on allegations of operating a fake certificate syndicate. Investigators say the scheme involved issuing fraudulent certificates to unwitting clients, undermining academic credentials.
The arrests come as authorities seek to recover documents and assess the impact on learners who now face disrupted studies, with dozens of students left stranded while their credentials are in question. Education officials say investigations will determine liability and the college’s ability to continue operations.
The suspect is the director of Region Group College in Eldoret town. He was arrested on Wednesday, August 5, after a complaint from the Public Service Commission (PSC) following a routine academic verification exercise that exposed forgery.
In a statement, the DCI said the director is accused of issuing forged academic certificates to unsuspecting learners. Moreover, one case left a graduate jobless after his papers were flagged as fake.
Officials from the DCI Headquarters have arrested the director of a college in Eldoret.
Moreover, the arrests stem from allegations of issuing forged academic certificates that left an unsuspecting victim jobless.
According to investigators, the probe began as the PSC authenticated certificates from a job applicant who studied at the college.
Moreover, during verification, it emerged that the diploma presented was not genuine.
However, further investigations revealed that the college director lied to the student about the institution’s affiliation with Moi University. This claim convinced the victim to enroll in a Diploma in Business Management course.
The student duly paid fees, attended classes, and sat for examinations. Subsequently, he was awarded a diploma certificate that he believed was authentic. He would later use the same certificate to apply for a job and was successful. However, the document was declared fake months later during the PSC’s authentication process.
As a result, the graduate lost his job and now risks being barred from future public service employment. He faces this for presenting forged documents, even though he claims he was unaware the certificate was fake.
After the incident was reported, DCI detectives launched a forensic investigation into Region Group College.
Moreover, they found institution operated without proper accreditation and issued certificates not recognized by the Ministry of Education or KNQA.
Once investigations were concluded, the file was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
Additionally, the ODPP approved charges against the suspect, including making a false document contrary to Section 347 of Penal Code.
The charges include forgery and obtaining money by false pretenses.
The director was arrested in an intelligence-led operation in Eldoret town.
Additionally, he is currently being held at a police station pending arraignment.
The arrest comes at a time when cases of fake academic papers are rising across the country.
Moreover, the government is intensifying its crackdown on unaccredited institutions and certificate forgery networks.
The DCI has cautioned parents and students to always confirm whether colleges are registered.
Additionally, they should verify accreditation by the Ministry of Education, TVETA, and other relevant regulatory bodies before enrolling.
The directorate has urged the public with information on similar institutions to report to the nearest police station.
Additionally, reports can be made through the DCI anonymous hotline.
Baraka Simba