The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has strongly opposed a request by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to withdraw a corruption case involving Gabriel Bukachi Chapia.
Chapia is accused of forging academic certificates to secure senior positions in three public institutions, including the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, the Kenya Investment Authority, and the Nairobi City County Government.
The case, being heard by Chief Magistrate C.N. Ondieki, alleges that Chapia falsely obtained employment as an ICT Manager at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in 2009, the Kenya Investment Authority in 2010, and as a Ward Administrator at the Nairobi City County Government in 2014.
The EACC contends that Chapia earned a total of sh 9.7 million in salaries from these positions, which the commission seeks to fully recover.
The breakdown of the earnings includes sh 182,751 from the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, sh 3.3 million from the Kenya Investment Authority, and sh 6.2 million from the Nairobi City County Government.
EACC has also presented evidence suggesting that Chapia’s Bachelor of Science degree from Maseno University was forged, as he was never enrolled at the institution.
Additionally, the commission claims Chapia fabricated a Master of Information Technology (IT) certificate from Daystar University, which does not offer such a program.
Despite the evidence, the DPP filed a motion seeking to withdraw the case, citing that Chapia had requested the prosecutor to review the charges against him.
In response, the EACC filed an affidavit on Monday, November 4, urging the court to reject the DPP’s application, calling it “arbitrary, capricious, and a blatant disregard of public interest.”
The EACC further argued that the DPP’s decision to withdraw the case was a premature attempt to dismiss serious charges, undermining the need for deterrence in corruption-related offenses.
The commission stressed that the DPP’s powers should not override the public’s interest in ensuring justice is served.
The case is scheduled to resume on November 7, 2024, after the DPP files its submissions.
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