
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and officers from Bamburi Police Station have arrested four individuals for running a fake university from a beach hotel in Mombasa. The suspects, two Kenyans, an American, and a Pakistani, were allegedly issuing fraudulent Master’s and PhD degrees after a brief three-day training.
According to a statement from DCI Director Mohammed Amin, the accused were caught just before they could hold an online graduation ceremony for students who had enrolled at their unaccredited institution. The investigation revealed that the suspects had already awarded at least three Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees in Leadership and Management and two honorary PhDs in Leadership.
Authorities moved in swiftly after receiving intelligence on the illegal operation. The four suspects were arrested and later taken to Shanzu Law Courts, where they were charged with issuing academic degrees without proper accreditation from recognized foreign universities. Their charges fall under Section 28(2) of the Universities Act, which prohibits unauthorized accreditation, recognition, and collection of fees for university education. The law states that anyone found guilty could face a fine of up to Ksh 2 million or imprisonment.
During their court appearance, all four suspects pleaded not guilty. The court granted them bond set at Ksh 400,000 with a similar surety or a cash bail of Ksh 300,000. Additionally, the American and Pakistani nationals were required to surrender their passports as a condition for their release. The case is set for mention on February 18, 2025.
The issue of fraudulent academic credentials in Kenya is a persistent problem, with authorities frequently uncovering individuals using fake degrees to secure employment. In recent years, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has intensified efforts to investigate and prosecute such cases. In 2024, the crackdown expanded to public officials, leading to multiple arrests of individuals who had secured government jobs using falsified academic documents.
The latest case highlights the growing concern over unregulated academic institutions and the risks posed by fake credentials in the job market. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to taking firm action against individuals and organizations engaged in such fraudulent activities.
Business
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