Ex-Nairobi senatorial aspirant Gabriel Chapia jailed for fraud
30:09:2025: The Commission secured a major victory after former Nairobi Senatorial aspirant Gabriel Bukachi Chapia was convicted for forgery of academic certificates and fraudulent acquisition of public funds.
Chapia was convicted on September 19, 2025 by the Milimani Anti-Corruption Law Courts after pleading guilty under a plea bargain agreement. He admitted to three counts of forgery of academic certificates, contrary to sections 345 and 349 of the Penal Code, and two counts of fraudulent acquisition of public property, contrary to section 45(1)(a) as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
Hon. C.N. Ondieki sentenced him to two-and-a-half years in prison or a fine of Kes30,000 on each of the five counts. He was further ordered to refund Kes182,751 earned while employed at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and Kes3,314,662 received from the Kenya Investment Authority, together with 12% interest, bringing the total refund to Kes3,917,102.56. Failure to repay the amount will attract an additional one-year jail term.
Forgery and fraudulent gains
Commission investigations revealed that Chapia falsified a Master’s degree in Information Technology from Daystar University, a Computer Science degree from Maseno University, and several diploma and short course certificates from the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru. He presented the forged papers to secure jobs at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in 2009, the Kenya Investment Authority in 2010, and Nairobi City County Government in 2014.
Contentious withdrawal attempt
The conviction follows a failed bid by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to withdraw the case in October 2024, despite 14 witnesses having testified. The DPP filed an application under section 87(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code, seeking to terminate the proceedings at the request of the accused.
EACC opposed the move, insisting it lacked merit and undermined public interest, noting that “there was no reason why the hearing of ACC No. E041 of 2020 should not proceed to its logical conclusion.” The court agreed, dismissing the application and allowing the trial to proceed.
