Court orders Eldoret-based college to pay former student Sh1m damages

Gabriel Dak in 2020 sued after he was denied his academic transcripts. [iStockphoto]

The High Court in Eldoret has ordered a college to pay Sh1 million to a South Sudanese national for breach of his right to education.

Gabriel Dak in 2020 sued the Eldoret College of Professional Studies and the University of Eldoret after he was denied his academic transcripts.

Dak had enrolled at the college where he pursued a certificate course in Business Management and was awarded a provisional academic transcript in 2017.

He also pursued a diploma in public administration, which he claimed he finished first and second years when he claimed he was eligible for graduation.

He said while pursuing the courses, he was led to believe that the institution was offering the courses in collaboration with UoE.

Dak said after completing the two courses, he made numerous visits to the college and UoE, but he was unable to obtain his academic transcripts despite attending the required classes, exams, and paying fees.

He told the court that the college and UoE's failure to provide him with his Diploma Certificate and original transcripts had denied him the opportunity to continue with his education.

The college, through Michael Onkoba Nyankuru, informed the court that it is unable to provide the transcripts and academic certificates sought by Dak.

The transcripts and certificate, according to the college, could only be released by the University of Eldoret.

They informed the court that they had signed an agreement with UoE to admit and offer the course, which would be directed and examined by the university.

According to his KCSE academic certificate, Dak could only qualify for a certificate course, according to the college, and he was denied admission to a diploma course.

UoE's Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics Prof Ruth Otunga, the Commission on University Education directed the college to stop admitting new students following a review of regulations in 2016.