The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has said it will go after the salaries earned by public officials with fake academic credentials.

According to the EACC, there are many public officials who forged academic credentials to get promotions to senior positions at work.

The commission intimated on Monday it is investigating such unnamed individuals with the aim of having them refund the public money they have since acquired by the fake certificates.

EACC noted forgery of academic credentials has become rampant in public service and is criminal.

"Forgery of academic certificates has become prevalent in the public service. This is not only a crime but also a violation of Chapter six of the Constitution," EACC said. 

"EACC is investigating suspected public officials and will seek to recover salaries earned on fake academic qualifications."

This comes in the wake of rising political temperatures in the country with some political candidates being accused of forging academic credentials.

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja is currently in the middle of a case in which his eligibility for the Nairobi governor’s seat, which he is running for is under scrutiny over his academic credentials.

Higher learning institutions such as Great Lakes University (GLUK) based in Kisumu have flagged fake degree certificates that some unscrupulous individuals have acquired to secure promotions at work.

In June, GLUK flagged a total of 169 undergraduate degrees held by students who were enrolled in an Eldoret-based as fake.