Fraudsters masquerading as senior government officials have recently sown disorder across key institutions, using forged documents and impersonation tactics to manipulate processes for personal gain. A striking example involves Captain Martyne Lunani, former Director of the Air Accident Investigations Department (AAID), whose case exposes the depth of this growing menace.
In the latest incident, former Transport and Roads Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was forced to disavow a letter purportedly sent to the Public Service Commission (PSC) requesting the renewal of Lunani’s contract. Murkomen denied authoring or signing the document, which surfaced during his tenure at the Transport Ministry, labelling it a forgery.
“I categorically deny authoring the letter referenced as 20100002101/135, addressed to the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission. After reviewing its contents, I firmly state that I played no role in its creation or distribution,” Murkomen declared in a statement to the PSC. He highlighted glaring errors in the document, including the misuse of the Principal Secretary’s letterhead—despite it allegedly bearing his signature as Cabinet Secretary—and an incorrect post-nominal title, listing “MBS” instead of his actual “EGH” honour. Murkomen has since referred the matter to investigative agencies, urging a probe into Lunani’s potential role in the deception.
A Trail of Controversy
Lunani’s tenure at the AAID was marked by allegations of mismanagement, neglected air crash investigations, and financial misconduct. In 2016, he was accused of defrauding the Transport Ministry by submitting expense claims for a fabricated seven-day trip to Sudan. After confessing to the scam, he repaid the funds. His leadership also came under scrutiny due to the AAID’s failure to conduct adequate plane crash investigations, drawing concerns from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In 2022, ICAO questioned Kenya’s commitment to its Accident Investigation Group Panel (AIGP), citing Lunani’s inactivity and even asking whether he should remain the country’s nominee.
The PSC has dismissed the forged letter tied to Lunani’s contract renewal, confirming it was never acted upon and is now under criminal investigation. This incident highlights a wider pattern of impersonation and forgery plaguing government corridors. Fraudsters continue to exploit weak bureaucratic safeguards, underscoring the urgent need for stricter verification protocols and enhanced oversight to protect public institutions from such manipulation.
