Northwestern Christian University, the institution that awarded Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi an honorary doctorate in December 2024 is now under scrutiny. This is after two of its officials were arrested for allegedly running an illegal institution.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested the university's chancellor, Moses Masiga, and vice-chancellor, Jackson Khayamba, during a graduation ceremony at Wild Waters in Nyali.
According to the DCI, the two were caught in the middle of issuing degrees from an institution that is not accredited.
"A complaint was made to the Commission for University Education regarding illegal institutions offering degrees without accreditation. Our team moved swiftly and stumbled upon a sham graduation ceremony in full swing. Unsuspecting graduates were about to receive their bogus certificates when the event was declared a crime scene and brought to an abrupt halt," DCI said.
The detectives reportedly recovered numerous fake certificates, including honorary doctorate degrees, academic doctorate degrees, master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, diplomas, and other certifications meant for individuals eager to don caps and gowns. The suspects are currently in custody and will be charged with violating Section 28 of the University Act.
"At the scene, Detectives recovered counterfeit certificates, including 7 honorary doctorate degrees, 7 academic doctorate degrees, 20 master's degrees, 65 bachelor's degrees, 14 diplomas and 5 certificates all intended for unsuspecting individuals eager to don caps and gowns," wrote the DCI.
TWO ARRESTED FOR OFFERING DEGREES WITHOUT ACCREDITATION
Two individuals have been arrested for operating illegal institutions offering degrees without accreditation.
The suspects, Moses Masiga, the Chancellor of North Western Christian University College linked to Power... pic.twitter.com/0sRW15UEPa - DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) February 28, 2025
In 2023, the Commission for University Education (CUE) had already flagged Northwestern Christian University as one of 13 institutions illegally offering diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate programs in Kenya.
CUE warned Kenyans against enrolling in the institution, stating that its academic qualifications would not be recognised.
Despite this, the university went ahead and awarded Sudi an honorary doctorate in Leadership, Administration, and Management in December last year during a ceremony at Eldoret National Polytechnic.
The same event saw MPs John Waluke of Sirisia and Didmus Barasa of Kimilili receive similar awards. In 2023, the institution also conferred an honorary doctorate on nominated MP Joseph Wainaina, a move that raised questions among Kenyans about the credibility of these honors.
The university faced even more scrutiny after it introduced Sudi as an engineer. The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) dismissed the claim, with its president, Eng. Shammah Kiteme, stating that the title is protected by law under the Engineers Act 2011.
"It takes at least eight years of hard work to earn it. Please stop this disrespectful use of the title you haven't earned," Kiteme said in response to online debates.
With investigations now underway, questions continue to mount over how the university managed to award degrees despite previous warnings from regulatory authorities.
