A Scientist has been charged with fraudulent acquisition of public property amounting to over Sh 9.4 million.
Peninah Wambui Karomoh, a scientist at Rural Electrification Authority (REA) is also facing other counts of making false documents namely academic University of Maseno and University of Nairobi Bachelor of science in Environmental science and master’s degree in science.
The accused who appeared before Chief magistrate Lawrence Mugambi of Milimani Anti-Corruption Court is said to have used false academic papers to secure a high position at the REA which caused the institution loss Sh 9,455,256.99 paid to her as salary.
Wambui is charged under Ethnic Anti-Corruption and Economic crimes Act.
The prosecution alleges that between November 2012 and August 2018 at Rural Electrification Authority the accused fraudulently acquired public property amounting to Sh 9,455.256.99 from REA paid as salary after having uttered false academic certificates which led to her being employed at the said public office.
She is accused of giving a false statement to Chie Executive Officer with REA indicating that she possessed the required qualifications for the position of an Environmental Science, causing the CEO to employ her, an act which he ought not to have done if the true state of facts had been known to him.
The prosecution says that on August 31 20,18 the accused knowingly and fraudulently uttered false document namely Bachelor of Science in Environmental science with Information Technology degree certificate to Margaret Nzau, Human Resource Officer with REA purporting to be genuine issued to her by Maseno University.
She accused of making a false master’s degree in science) Environmental Chemistry) certificate purporting to be genuine issued to her by University of Nairobi.
Wambui is accused of making a false document namely a postgraduate academic transcript with registration N0 B 28/23/09 for masters in science issued to her by University of Nairobi.
The magistrate ordered her to be released on bond of Sh 2 million or cash bail of Sh 800,000 pending the mention of the case on July 16.
