University that awarded Oscar Sudi, controversial politicians degrees among 15 unauthorised institutions

Northwestern Christian University, which awarded Oscar Sudi an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Leadership, Administration, and Management, is among 15 universities flagged by the Commission for University Education (CUE) for operating illegally in Kenya.

In a statement, the commission said, “Any institution operating as a university or degree-awarding body that does not appear on the commission's list of approved institutions is illegal, and their degree qualifications will not be recognised in Kenya.”

Baraton College in Kapsabet, Kenya Anglican University in Embu, Eldoret Bible College, Africa Theological Seminary, Logos University in Kakamega, Harvest Land University, and World of Faith Bible College, among others are also on the list.

During an event held at Eldoret National Polytechnic, the church-run university based in Florida, United States awarded Sudi the Kapseret MP together with John Waluke of Sirisia and Didmus Barasa of Kimilili.

What was more shocking was the invitation of former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri as its chief guest an honour typically reserved for distinguished academicians and top officials from the Ministry of Education.

The university has not been without controversy. On March 1, during its graduation ceremony, law enforcement officials descended on the venue, abruptly halting proceedings amidst allegations of operating without proper accreditation and distributing counterfeit degree certificates.

Not long ago, DPP Renson Ingonga was directed to file proper charges against two directors of the university for operating without a charter and conferring degrees without accreditation.

Currently, only thirty-five (35) public universities and twenty-eight (28) private universities are authorized to operate in the country.

Additionally, three institutions have been designated as specialised public universities: the National Defence University of Kenya, the Open University of Kenya, and the National Intelligence and Research University.

Mama Ngina University College, Bomet University College, Turkana University College, Koitalel Samoei University College, and Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology are the only recognised public university colleges.