Ex-Deputy Director at Auditor-General’s Office Charged Over Fake Degree, Ksh 28.4 Million Salary Scandal

A former senior official at the Office of the Auditor-General is facing criminal charges after prosecutors accused her of using a fake academic certificate to land a government job and collect salaries worth more than Ksh 28.4 million over more than a decade.

Hannah Wambui Maura who also goes by the name Anna Wambui Mwaura appeared in court to answer charges linked to the alleged fraudulent acquisition of public funds totaling Ksh 28,468,754.14. The prosecution says the scheme ran from February 3, 2013, through May 23, 2024.

How the Alleged Fraud Unfolded

Court documents indicate that Maura landed her job at the Office of the Auditor-General previously known as the Kenya National Audit Office by submitting a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting that she claimed was issued by Mount Kenya University on August 20, 2010.

The document stated she had graduated with Second Class Honours, Upper Division.

Investigators allege the auditor-general’s office trusted this certificate at face value when it hired her. Over the following years, Maura reportedly climbed the career ladder, moving up from Assistant Manager of Audit all the way to Deputy Director of Audit a rise prosecutors say was built on a credential that was never genuine.

The Charges She Faces

Maura has been charged with fraudulently acquiring public property, an offense outlined under Section 45(1)(a) together with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.

Beyond that, prosecutors say that back in July 2013, she gave false details to a government body by listing the disputed Mount Kenya University accounting degree on her CV. According to the charges, she was aware the qualification was fabricated but used it anyway to gain employment.

A separate count accuses her of repeating the false claim on February 3, 2014, this time on an official job application form submitted to the Office of the Auditor-General, where she indicated she had studied for the degree between 2008 and 2010.

Prosecutors argue she either knew this was untrue or had every reason to know it.

On top of the fraud and false-information charges, Maura is also facing a forgery charge under Sections 345 and 349 of the Penal Code, accused of falsifying a degree certificate bearing the name Anna Wambui Mwaura and passing it off as an authentic document from Mount Kenya University.

What Happens Next

The case adds to a growing list of public sector scandals in Kenya involving forged academic credentials used to secure government employment and promotions.

It also raises fresh questions about the vetting processes used by public institutions, including oversight bodies like the Office of the Auditor-General, when verifying employees’ academic qualifications.The matter remains before the court.