Forgery Suspect Arrested at JKIA Over Fake Degree Scandal

A suspected fraudster linked to a long-running forgery scheme has been arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, in a dramatic operation that has exposed serious gaps in credential verification.

The suspect, identified as Victor Ochieng Odhiambo, was intercepted by immigration officers shortly after arriving from South Korea aboard an Etihad Airways flight EY 768. Acting on a prior stop order issued by the Officer in Charge of Immigration, officers swiftly detained him upon arrival.

According to investigators, Odhiambo is wanted for offences of forgery contrary to Sections 345 and 349 of the Penal Code, as well as uttering a false document under Section 353.

Detectives allege that he forged a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical and Electronics, purportedly issued in December 2008, and used the fake credentials to secure employment at the Kenya Pipeline Company. He is said to have held the position of Senior ICT Officer, a role requiring high levels of technical expertise and integrity.

The case has raised fresh concerns over how fraudulent academic documents can slip through vetting processes, allowing unqualified individuals to occupy sensitive positions in public institutions.

Following his arrest, Odhiambo was detained at Muthaiga Police Station before being arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court granted him a cash bail of KSh 300,000 or an alternative bond of KSh 500,000 with a surety of a similar amount. The case will be mentioned on April 2, 2026, for pre-trial directions.