A fake certificate fraud scandal has erupted at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, amid court revelations that some employees used forged academic documents to secure jobs, promotions and millions of shillings in salaries at the country’s second-largest referral hospital.
The revelations, made during an ongoing court case in Eldoret, have thrown the integrity of Kenya’s public healthcare recruitment system into sharp focus and triggered fresh concerns over the safety of patients served by the institution.
At the centre of the case is Enock Kipruto Rotich, an MTRH employee charged with presenting fake academic certificates to gain employment at the hospital.
The case has since widened beyond one employee, with the hospital disclosing that at least 28 individuals are under scrutiny for allegedly using forged academic and professional credentials to secure employment over the years.
Testifying before Eldoret Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Areri on Friday, MTRH Director of Human Resources Ann Chemworsio told the court that the fraud stretched beyond recruitment, with some employees allegedly using fake certificates to rise through the ranks over the past decade.
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) located in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County. It is the second largest medical referral facility in Kenya.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
In one of the most startling revelations, the court heard that one employee pocketed more than Sh3.7 million in salary using forged academic papers.
The scandal has exposed what appears to have been a long-running failure in staff vetting and document verification within one of Kenya’s most critical public health institutions, raising questions on how fake documents slipped through the hiring checks.
According to court documents, Mr Rotich was first employed as a casual security guard in October 2014 after presenting a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate indicating he had attained a Grade D. The certificate was later found to be forged.
Despite the questionable credentials, the court heard that Mr Rotich was promoted to senior security guard under job grade MTRH 14 before later advancing to MTRH 13.
Ms Chemworsio testified that the promotions were based on academic qualifications as outlined under the hospital’s security guards’ scheme of service approved in 2002.
The court also heard that Mr Rotich later worked in other capacities, including as a driver in the transport department from February 15, 2021, until his dismissal.
The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Verification conducted by the Kenya National Examinations Council established that the KCSE certificate submitted by Mr Rotich was not genuine.
Further investigations revealed that he neither registered for nor sat the 2002 KCSE examinations at Kitany Secondary School in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Instead, the index number appearing on the certificate belonged to another candidate identified as Chepsoi Kiprotich.
The hospital subsequently initiated disciplinary proceedings against him, but the court heard that Mr Rotich failed to respond to a show-cause letter or appear before a disciplinary committee in September 2023.
Ms Chemworsio told the court that his employment was terminated effective May 22, 2023. He was also informed of his right to appeal the decision before the hospital’s board within six weeks.
The court further heard that the discovery of multiple forged certificates has forced the hospital to launch an internal audit targeting staff credentials across departments, especially in sensitive and technical units.
A signpost at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
Hospital officials said the institution has since tightened its recruitment procedures, including mandatory verification of academic and professional documents with relevant authorities before appointments are confirmed.
Ms Chemworsio told the court that hospital management is now working closely with investigative agencies to identify and take action against all individuals suspected of fraudulently securing employment.
