Chuka University has dismissed social media reports that a doctoral thesis on the “Critical Analysis of the Discourse during the Impeachment of the 2nd Deputy President of Kenya” was completed in under a year.
In a statement on December 4, 2025, Chuka University stated that the claims are false, unverified, and unfounded.
“Chuka University has noted with concern recent social media posts alleging irregularities in the completion of doctoral studies at the University. These posts falsely claim that a doctoral thesis on the “Critical Analysis of the Discourse during the Impeachment of the 2nd Deputy President of Kenya” was completed in less than a year,” read part of the statement.
The University stated that all doctoral programs adhere to the minimum three-year duration required by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
The student in question was admitted in 2022 and completed the program in November 2025, exceeding the minimum requirement.
Further, the University stated that it maintains strict compliance with all academic regulations, ensuring that research, supervision, and examination processes are conducted with the highest standards of integrity.
Chuka University Refutes Claims of PhD Student Completing Studies in Less Than a Year
Chuka University further noted the following;
- All students adhere to all University and CUE guidelines, including proposal review, supervision, and examination processes.
- Doctoral programmes are carefully structured to encompass coursework, research, thesis writing, and a final examination, ensuring rigorous academic training.
- The University strictly adheres to the prescribed completion timelines, and all academic work is conducted with the highest standards of scholarly merit and integrity.
- The University condemns the spread of unverified content and misinformation that damages public confidence.
- Chuka University maintains comprehensive records of all academic processes and welcomes verification by legitimate stakeholders.
The institution urged the public and media to rely on verified information from official sources before sharing content.
“Chuka University remains steadfast in its commitment to academic excellence, integrity, and the protection of its institutional reputation,” ended the statement.
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Requirements For Completing Thesis
The speedy completion has sparked questions about the integrity of the university’s academic oversight and governance processes.
Questions have emerged after a PhD student allegedly completed her doctoral studies in under a year, despite Gachagua’s impeachment in October last year and the Commission for University Education (CUE) requiring a minimum of 3 years for all doctoral programs.
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This prompted stakeholders to urge a formal inquiry into how the Senate, Council, and university administration sanctioned the awarding of the degree under these unusual circumstances.
Below are the CUE guidelines for completing a doctoral thesis in Kenya:
- The Commission for University Education (CUE) requires that all doctoral (PhD) programs in Kenya last at least three academic years.
- A doctoral program must include both coursework and research, with research making up at least two-thirds of the total program.
- The doctoral thesis should typically be at least 50,000 words.
- Before graduation, a PhD student must provide proof that at least two papers based on their research have been accepted in refereed journals.
- The thesis must be supervised by qualified academic staff, examined internally and externally, and defended in an oral examination.
- All universities must adhere strictly to these CUE standards to ensure the integrity and credibility of doctoral awards.
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