Fair Probe Shows Joho Forged KCSE Certificate, Court Told

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has told the court that investigations into Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho's academic qualifications have revealed that he forged his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate.

According to the DPP's office, police received a complaint letter dated January 3 from Janet Mbete, who questioned the authenticity of Joho's KCSE exam certificate, prompting the police to go on with investigations.

Assistant DPP Alexander Muteti defended the investigations on the Governor’s papers, adding that they were not malicious because police had acquired tangible documents from academic institutions and established that the complaints was genuine.

“The documents acquired from Nairobi University clearly indicate Joho, under his own hand, applied [for the degree course], paid fees and did examinations,” Muteti said.

Muteti revealed that Joho used Portside Terminal, a clearing and forwarding company associated with his family to paid Sh210,000 to the University of Nairobi.

He argued that, based on the facts gathered, it was genuine to prosecute Joho for numerous criminal offences including forgery, uttering false documents and giving false information to public officials.

The DPP assured the court that the investigations were conducted fairly without any harassment and had given the governor the freedom to choose which police station to appear for questioning.

“We have given him even a chance to choose when to appear before the police since he alleges to be a busy man,” he said.

He urged the court not to give the Governor the protection he was seeking against investigations and prosecution adding that it will result to cushioning a suspect from prosecution.

Judge Erick Ogolla on April 30 barred the prosecution and police from arresting, prosecuting or charging Joho until determination of his petition, after he sued the Attorney General, DPP and IG for harassment.

The hearing continues on May 30.