The honorary degree awarded to Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has sparked fierce criticism from academics and professional bodies, with allegations of undermining Kenya’s academic and professional standards.
Professor Francis Ang’awa of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) led the charge, describing the degree as an “insult to the academic world.” Ang’awa decried the laxity of the Commission for University Education (CUE), stating, “Degrees should not be handed out like roadside mandazi. This compromises the integrity of our education system and disrespects genuine academic achievement.”
The degree in question was conferred by Northwestern Christian University-Kenya during its 17th graduation ceremony on December 21. Sudi received an Honorary Doctorate in Leadership, Administration, and Management, with the title “Engineer” included on the certificate.
The Engineering Board of Kenya (EBK) has since directed the university to immediately revoke the “Engineer” title from the honorary degree. The board argued that the title’s inclusion violated Sections 26(3) and 47(2) of the Engineers Act, 2011, which reserves the title “Eng.” exclusively for registered professional engineers.
In a press statement issued on December 23, the EBK emphasized, “Unauthorized use of this title undermines the integrity of the engineering profession and is a punishable offence under the Kenyan Constitution.” The board called on Northwestern Christian University-Kenya to issue a corrected certificate without the contentious title.
The backlash intensified after Engineer Shammah Kiteme, President of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), publicly condemned Sudi’s use of the “Engineer” title in connection with the honorary degree.
“This situation not only breaches professional guidelines but also erodes the credibility of academic and professional qualifications in the country,” Kiteme stated.
The controversy has also reignited public discourse on the regulation of honorary degrees in Kenya. Critics argue that the unchecked proliferation of such titles risks devaluing the nation’s academic and professional credentials on the global stage.
As the debate rages on, Professor Ang’awa appealed for a review of university oversight mechanisms, urging the Commission for University Education to protect Kenya’s academic reputation. “Let us respect academics. The credibility of Kenyan degrees is at stake,” he said.
The incident has left many questioning the legitimacy of not only the degree but also the institutions involved in its conferment, fueling a broader conversation on the integrity of Kenya’s education system.
