What You Need to Know
The Commission for University Education (CUE) has formed a team to investigate allegations that Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) awarded degrees to individuals not enrolled as students. The university denies these claims, asserting its graduation processes are rigorous and compliant with academic standards. CUE emphasizes the importance of maintaining public confidence.
Africa-Press – Kenya. The Commission for University Education has constituted a multidisciplinary team of experts to investigate allegations that Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology awarded degrees to individuals who were never admitted or registered as students.
MMUST has strongly denied the claims.
The commission said it had taken note “with grave concern” of media reports alleging that MMUST may have conferred academic qualifications on individuals who were neither duly admitted nor registered as bona fide students.
In a statement issued Friday, CUE chief executive Prof Mike Kuria said the team will conduct a comprehensive and objective review to establish the facts surrounding claims of irregular and potentially fraudulent degree awards at the institution.
If proven, Kuria warned, such actions would constitute a serious breach of academic integrity.
“In accordance with its statutory mandate, the commission has initiated an investigation to establish the facts surrounding the matter. Any individuals or entities found culpable of misconduct will be held accountable and appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory frameworks,” Kuria said.
He said the allegations, if proven, pose a significant threat to public confidence in Kenya’s higher education system.
“A multidisciplinary team of experts has been constituted to undertake a comprehensive and objective review of the allegations,” Kuria said, urging members of the public to remain calm and refrain from speculation as the investigation proceeds.
The development follows a directive issued earlier in the week by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba for CUE to probe the allegations amid mounting public scrutiny.
“Following allegations circulating on various social and mainstream media platforms questioning the bona fides of some graduands at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, I have today directed the Commission for University Education to undertake a thorough investigation into the matter,” Ogamba said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The commission is required to ascertain that all graduands were in fact students at the university, and that they duly qualified for the award of the qualifications that were conferred upon them,” he added.
The controversy was sparked by remarks from former secretary general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and current United Opposition spokesperson, Mukhisa Kituyi, who claimed during a radio interview that names of individuals who had never been admitted to the university appeared on a graduation list two years ago.
“It’s an absolute reality… a graduation two years ago at Masinde Muliro University had names of persons who were never admitted to the university… They came with a gown, they got a degree, and they went away,” Kituyi said, describing the alleged incident as evidence of systemic weaknesses in the education sector.
However, MMUST has strongly denied the claims, maintaining that its graduation processes are rigorous and compliant with established academic and statutory requirements.
Through Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Prof Hussein Golicha, the university dismissed the allegations as unverified and damaging to its reputation.
“We strongly disagree with such unverified claims, which have unfairly tainted the image of our institution. Students who qualify for graduation are duly processed through the approval processes as provided for in the university statutes,” Golicha said.
He added that even under the university’s virtual learning programmes, students must meet all admission, coursework and examination requirements before being cleared for graduation.
“The University has Open and Distance Learning where students take classes from the comfort of their area of operation/homes away from the university, and are processed for graduation only when they meet the requirements,” he said.
CUE reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the quality and protecting the integrity of university education in Kenya as mandated by the Universities Act.
The issue of academic integrity in higher education has gained prominence in Kenya, particularly with increasing scrutiny over university operations. Allegations of degree fraud can undermine public trust in educational institutions, prompting regulatory bodies like the Commission for University Education to take action. This investigation reflects ongoing efforts to ensure accountability and uphold standards in the education sector, which is vital for the country’s development and reputation.
In recent years, various scandals have emerged in Kenyan universities, highlighting systemic weaknesses that need addressing. The CUE’s proactive stance in investigating these allegations is crucial in
