Kenyan Authorities Bust Fake University Behind Oscar Sudi’s Honorary Degree

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has cracked down on Northwestern Christian University, an unaccredited institution allegedly operating illegally in Kenya. The institution made headlines after awarding an honorary degree to Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, sparking controversy over the misuse of academic titles.

DCI Cracks Down on Bogus Graduation Ceremony

On Friday, February 28, DCI detectives arrested the Chancellor of Northwestern Christian University, Moses Masiga, and Vice Chancellor Jackson Khayamba. The two were nabbed at the coast while presiding over a graduation ceremony at Wild Waters in Nyali.

According to the authorities, unsuspecting graduates had lined up to receive their certificates when the detectives interrupted the ceremony. The event was immediately halted and declared a crime scene.

“Officers stumbled upon a sham graduation ceremony in full swing, complete with unsuspecting ‘graduates’ about to receive their bogus certificates. The event was promptly declared a crime scene and brought to an abrupt halt,” read a statement from the police.

Among the certificates discovered by authorities were:

• 7 honorary doctorate degrees
• 7 academic doctorate degrees
• 20 master’s degrees
• 65 bachelor’s degrees
• 14 diplomas
• 5 certificates

Masiga and Khayamba are now in police custody and face charges for offering degrees without accreditation from a foreign university, violating Section 28 of the University Act.

Unaccredited and Illegal: The Fake University Exposed

Northwestern Christian University came under scrutiny after the Commission for University Education (CUE) flagged it as an unaccredited institution. This revelation followed a public outcry when the university awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Leadership Administration and Management to MP Oscar Sudi. The controversy deepened when Sudi’s certificate carried the title “Engineer Oscar Sudi”, implying he was a trained and accredited engineer.

The Engineering Board of Kenya (EBK) swiftly intervened, instructing the university to revoke the certificate and issue a new one without the “Eng” title. Kenyan engineers were particularly outraged by what they termed the misuse of the professional designation, prompting a formal complaint to EBK.

CUE: Northwestern Christian University Is Not Recognized in Kenya

The Commission for University Education (CUE) confirmed that Northwestern Christian University is not listed as an accredited institution in Kenya. According to CUE, any credentials issued by the university are invalid and unrecognized in the country.

In 2023, CUE had already flagged the institution as illegal, warning the public against enrolling in unaccredited universities offering questionable degrees. Despite the warning, the university continued to operate until its recent shutdown by authorities.

Fake Degrees: A Growing Concern in Kenya

The arrest of Masiga and Khayamba brings to light the increasing cases of fake degrees and unaccredited universities in Kenya. Many unsuspecting students invest time and money in institutions that do not meet the required academic standards, leaving them with worthless certificates.

With the DCI and CUE intensifying their crackdown on fraudulent universities, Kenyans are urged to verify an institution’s accreditation before enrolling. The fight against fake degrees continues as authorities seek to uphold the integrity of Kenya’s education system.

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Kenyan Authorities Bust Fake University Behind Oscar Sudi’s Honorary Degree