Laikipia County Assembly Speaker, Lantano Labaala, is staring at the possibility of losing approximately Sh15 million in allowances and benefits amid ongoing investigations into allegations that he used forged academic certificates to secure his position.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) confirmed that its officers, acting on a court order, conducted a raid at Mr. Labaala’s residence in Nanyuki as part of the probe. The operation targeted multiple locations linked to the Speaker, including his office at the County Assembly in Nanyuki, the County Assembly Service Board offices in Nyahururu, and the Human Resource office in Rumuruti.
In a statement, the Commission said the coordinated search was carried out in line with its mandate to investigate corruption and related offences, noting that the court-issued search warrant allowed its officers to collect any material relevant to the case. “The operation has yielded valuable evidentiary material that will support the ongoing investigation, which is at the tail end,” EACC said, without disclosing the specific nature of the items seized. Speaker Lantano Labaala
The case revolves around claims that Mr. Labaala forged academic papers, allegedly using them to qualify for and subsequently secure the position of County Assembly Speaker. According to the Commission, if the allegations are confirmed, it will move to recover all the salary, allowances, and benefits he has received since taking office in October 2022.
The targeted recovery amount, estimated at Sh15 million, covers the entire period of his tenure to date. EACC maintains that such recoveries are provided for under the law when it is proven that a public officer obtained their position through fraudulent means. The raid in Nanyuki was described by the Commission as part of its broader strategy to ensure accountability in public service and to deter the falsification of qualifications for high-profile positions. EACC officials emphasised that academic integrity is a cornerstone of public trust and that falsifying credentials undermines both governance and service delivery.
In recent years, the Commission has stepped up efforts to investigate and prosecute cases involving forged academic documents, particularly in the public sector. Several county and national government officials have previously faced prosecution or dismissal after similar allegations were substantiated.
In the Laikipia case, the Speaker’s alleged use of fake certificates is seen as a serious breach of both ethical and legal standards. Beyond the financial recovery, the outcomeof the investigation could have significant implications for his continued stay in office. The Commission has not indicated when it expects to conclude the case but confirmed that the matter is in its final stages. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to determine whether criminal charges will be filed.
While Mr. Labaala has not publicly commented on the allegations, the high-profile nature of his role and the substantial amount of money involved have drawn considerable public interest in Laikipia County and beyond.
As the investigation approaches its conclusion, all eyes will be on whether the evidence gathered during the raids will be sufficient to support the EACC’s claims — and whether the Speaker will be required to refund the Sh15 million in allowances and benefits. The case underscores the Commission’s ongoing crackdown on academic fraud in public appointments, a problem it says erodes meritocracy and public confidence in government institutions.
