NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 21 – Human resource professionals have been encouraged to prioritize thorough due diligence and background checks amidst a rise in job seekers resorting to fake academic credentials to secure employment opportunities.
Principal of the College of Human Resource Management Margaret Kinyanjui, emphasized the necessity of addressing the issue promptly to prevent both private and public sectors from being flooded with fraudulent individuals.
According to a report from the Public Service Commission (PSC) on February 13, 20243, it was revealed that over 2,000 public servants are holding forged academic and professional qualifications.
“If you are a self-respecting HR professional you should follow the right rules in the recruitment process,” she said during an interview on Capital in the Morning Show with Wanjira Longauer.
The damning report, stemming from an investigation initiated in 2022, focused on multiple ministries, state departments, and semi-autonomous government agencies.
Kinyanjui expressed regret over the significant presence of fraudsters in the workforce, emphasizing that such occurrences could have been prevented through thorough scrutiny by human resource personnel responsible for overseeing the recruitment process.
“In recruitment, it’s crucial to verify credentials through background checks,” she stated, noting that there are numerous organizations specializing in the checks that can be outsourced for assistance.
She noted, however, that in many instances, oversight leading to the employment of fraudsters is attributed to line managers lacking sufficient skills within the human resources departments.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is already conducting investigations on the individuals involved in the possession of fake credentials, with a focus on recovering unlawfully acquired assets and gains.
Additionally, those implicated in the fraudulent activities will be deprived of any benefits, including pensions, allowances, or leave.
Kinyanjui took pride that a significant number of human resource professionals who have graduated from the College of Human Resource Management continue to demonstrate vigilance in detecting and eliminating fraudsters during the recruitment process, thanks to the skills they have acquired.
“The majority of HR practitioners in leading companies across the country have completed certification programs at our college. They remain vigilant during the recruitment process and consistently conduct comprehensive background checks,” she stated.
Since 2014, Kinyanjui has led the institution, founded in 1997, with a commitment to nurturing the human capital essential for proficient people management in both the public and private sectors of the economy.
