Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and officials from the Commission for University Education (CUE) on Friday, February 28, raided a Northwestern Christian University graduation ceremony in Mombasa, arresting multiple individuals.
During the raid, at least 100 graduates were arrested and taken to the Nyali Police Station to record statements.
The police escorted them one by one to waiting vehicles for questioning by DCI detectives.
DCI stated that the institution is not registered in the country, while CUE maintained that it does not recognize the institution, adding that it has been operating without registration and issuing fake degree certificates.
“I want to declare this a crime scene, and anybody in a gown should remain seated until we finish all our processes. Is that clear?” a DCI official stated.
Authorities said they had enough evidence to conclude that the ceremony was compromised and that the documents were nothing more than pieces of paper from an unregistered institution.
DCI said it 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.
Also Read: Oscar Sudi Awarded Honorary Doctorate Degree
Why Northwestern Christian University was Raided
Speaking after the raid, CUE Chair Prof. Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha said they arrested the graduands to stop an illegality of a university operating without proper accreditation.
“When we find you (universities and colleges) parading yourselves as legitimate institutions offering programs that give out master’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees, then it is our duty to bring an end to this violation of the law,” Chacha stated.
“Today, we found this institution conducting a graduation ceremony, and many people were getting degree certificates, some even PhDs. We worked together with the relevant authorities, and we were able to arrest the founders of the institution,” he added.
During the raid, the commission canceled 100 fake degrees and arrested the university’s officials and students.
However, the students were later released, with CUE officials urging Kenyans to be careful when choosing institutions of higher learning.
Meanwhile, the University Chancellor linked to Power International Ministries University, Moses Masiga, and his Vice Chancellor Jackson Khayamba, are currently in custody, undergoing processing, and will be charged with the offence of offering degrees without accreditation from a foreign university, in violation of Section 28 of the University Act.
Also Read: Oscar Sudi Awarded Honorary Doctorate Degree
Honorary Degree Awarded to Sudi Sparked Debate
This controversy comes just two months after Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi received an honorary degree from the same institution on Saturday, December 21, 2024, during the university’s 17th graduation ceremony.
The university conferred an honorary doctorate in Leadership, Administration, and Management upon Oscar Sudi
However, no action was taken, apart from declaring the university unregistered, raising questions about double standards.
The Engineering Board of Kenya (EBK) also demanded that Northwestern Christian University immediately revoke Sudi’s honorary doctorate degree whose certificate was issued with the ‘Engineer’ title.
EBK said the title “engineer” is protected by law, and its use without proper academic process is punishable by law. The body further argued that Sudi’s conferment with the title undermines the integrity of the engineering profession.
According to the board, the use of the style and title “Eng” is reserved for Professional and Consulting Engineers who are registered by the Board under sections 26 (1) and (2) of the Engineers Act, 2011.
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