NAIROBI, Kenya – The Commission for University Education (CUE) has launched a probe into the activities of Northwestern Christian University, an institution operating in Kenya without accreditation.
The commission raised concerns about the university’s issuance of honorary degrees to prominent lawmakers, including Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, and Sirisia MP John Waluke.
In a statement released Monday, CUE emphasized that the university is not recognized in Kenya and that any academic qualifications it awards are invalid under local regulations.
“The Commission has taken note of widely circulating media reports on purported issuance of honorary doctorates in Kenya by an entity going by the name Northwestern Christian University. The Commission wishes to inform the public that the entity is unaccredited,” the statement read.
CUE further pointed out that it had already flagged the institution in a June 2023 public notice, cautioning Kenyans that the university was not authorized to offer academic programs or confer degrees in the country.
Concerns about Northwestern Christian University’s practices were initially raised by professional organizations, including the Institution of Engineers of Kenya.
Critics have questioned the criteria used to award degrees, calling for greater oversight of unregulated institutions that undermine the integrity of academic credentials.
As the sole regulator of university education in Kenya, CUE reiterated that issuing academic qualifications without accreditation violates the Universities Act, CAP 210.
Sections 69 and 69A of the Act empower the commission to take legal action against unlicensed entities.
“The awarding of academic qualifications by unaccredited institutions is a direct violation of the Universities Act,” CUE warned, adding that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding Northwestern Christian University’s operations and the degrees it has conferred.
CUE has urged Kenyans to verify the accreditation status of universities and their programs through the commission’s website or direct consultations.
The watchdog pledged to take appropriate measures against Northwestern Christian University once investigations are complete.
The commission raised concerns about the university’s issuance of honorary degrees to prominent lawmakers, including Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, and Sirisia MP John Waluke.
In a statement released Monday, CUE emphasized that the university is not recognized in Kenya and that any academic qualifications it awards are invalid under local regulations.
“The Commission has taken note of widely circulating media reports on purported issuance of honorary doctorates in Kenya by an entity going by the name Northwestern Christian University. The Commission wishes to inform the public that the entity is unaccredited,” the statement read.
CUE further pointed out that it had already flagged the institution in a June 2023 public notice, cautioning Kenyans that the university was not authorized to offer academic programs or confer degrees in the country.
Concerns about Northwestern Christian University’s practices were initially raised by professional organizations, including the Institution of Engineers of Kenya.
Critics have questioned the criteria used to award degrees, calling for greater oversight of unregulated institutions that undermine the integrity of academic credentials.
As the sole regulator of university education in Kenya, CUE reiterated that issuing academic qualifications without accreditation violates the Universities Act, CAP 210.
Sections 69 and 69A of the Act empower the commission to take legal action against unlicensed entities.
“The awarding of academic qualifications by unaccredited institutions is a direct violation of the Universities Act,” CUE warned, adding that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding Northwestern Christian University’s operations and the degrees it has conferred.
CUE has urged Kenyans to verify the accreditation status of universities and their programs through the commission’s website or direct consultations.
The watchdog pledged to take appropriate measures against Northwestern Christian University once investigations are complete.
