NAIROBI, Kenya- What was meant to be a proud moment of caps tossed skyward and years of sacrifice celebrated ended abruptly after detectives stormed a graduation ceremony in Changamwe, Mombasa County, bringing proceedings to a dramatic halt.
Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters’ Serious Crime Unit, working alongside officials from the Commission for University Education (CUE), stopped the ceremony at Victory International Church after intelligence revealed it was being organised by an unaccredited institution.
By the time detectives arrived, the event was already underway — graduates seated in regalia, families watching on, and certificates waiting to be conferred.
Moments later, the celebration came to an uneasy standstill.
DREAMS CUT SHORT AS DCI HALTS BOGUS GRADUATION IN CHANGAMWEA team of detectives from the DCI Headquarters’ Serious Crime Unit (SCU), working hand in glove with officers from the Commission for University Education (CUE), yesterday brought the curtain down on a graduation
Investigators questioned organisers linked to Menorah Training Institute and Dominion Mission Theological University Global, an institution based in Ghana.
However, the officials were unable to produce mandatory accreditation documents from CUE, immediately casting doubt on the legitimacy of the graduation.
Preliminary findings revealed that while Menorah Training Institute is registered with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), its licence only allows it to offer courses up to diploma level.
Despite this, the graduation programme listed five individuals scheduled to receive master’s degrees and 17 others set to graduate with bachelor’s degrees — qualifications the institution is neither licensed nor authorised to award.
The discovery raised alarm among investigators, who described the operation as a clear case of misleading students and families through false academic promises.
Following the intervention, several officials were arrested. Those in custody include Daniel Dela, the institution’s president, board members John Kibet, Philomena Milano and Ann Ogola Owiti, as well as Jason Oduor and Michael Ochieng. They are currently being processed ahead of arraignment.
The DCI said investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of the scheme, including how long the institutions have been operating and how many students may have been affected.
Authorities have urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and to always verify the accreditation status of institutions before enrolling or paying fees.
“When it comes to education, shortcuts often lead to dead ends,” the DCI cautioned, warning that bogus institutions continue to prey on the hopes of unsuspecting students.
