By William Koome
Criminal investigations have been launched to establish authenticity of Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja and Machakos gubernatorial aspirant Wavinya Ndeti’s academic qualifications.
Inspector General of police Hillary Mutyambai, in a statement signed by police spokesperson Bruno Shioso, ordered the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to investigate Mr Sakaja and Ms Ndeti’s certificates.
Ms Ndeti claims to have obtained an undergraduate degree in Computing from South Bank University in London while the Nairobi UDA gubernatorial candidate says he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Management from Team University in Uganda.
“The IG has directed the DCI to conduct speedy investigations into authenticity and genuineness of all the certificate, testimonials and respective documentation presented to the IEBC for clearance by the two aspirants,” the statement read in part.
The Wiper Party candidate who is seeking to succeed Governor Alfred Mutua in her third stab, will be investigated over alleged forgery of her papers following complaints by two voters, Kisilu Mutisya and Gideon Ngewa who wants the electoral dispute resolution committed to revoke her clearance.
Mr Sakaja has been summoned by the Commission of University Education (CUE) and asked to appear before it on Monday to prove authenticity of his degree.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji has asked the IG to widen the scope of the ongoing probe against Senator Sakaja and Ms Ndeti’s certificates by also investigating complaints against other aspirants lodged with the electoral agency and other government agencies including complaints on digital, print and electronic media.
Mr Haji also wants State agencies, departments and commissions investigated to determine if they aided or abetted the offences and legal action taken against those found culpable.
“We recognize the efforts taken by your office in the investigation of the two gubernatorial aspirants, however, it’s prudent to expand the scope of investigation…,” Haji said in a letter dated June 18.
He further asked IG to undertake comprehensive probe while considering the tight electoral timelines and set deadline for the investigations on July 1, 2022.
