Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Saturday shut down a graduation ceremony at a church in Changamwe, Mombasa County, after establishing that the institution behind the event was not accredited to award academic degrees.
Accompanied by officers from the Commission for University Education (CUE), the detectives arrived at the venue while the ceremony was already in progress.
Investigators said the graduation had been organised by a local training institute in collaboration with a theological university reportedly based in Ghana.
Detectives Stop Church Graduation in Changamwe Over Degree Accreditation Concerns. Photo: Courtesy.
However, the organisers, directors, and officials were unable to present valid accreditation documents from CUE, effectively rendering the degrees and certificates being issued invalid.
Preliminary investigations established that the college is registered with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and is only permitted to offer courses up to diploma level.
However, a review of the graduation programme uncovered serious irregularities, including five individuals listed to graduate with master’s degrees and an additional 17 slated to receive degree certificates.
Investigators noted that the institution failed to produce valid accreditation from the Commission for University Education (CUE), confirming that it neither holds the required licence nor the legal mandate to award degree or postgraduate qualifications under Kenyan law.
Consequently, six officials associated with the ceremony were arrested, among them the institution’s president, members of the board, and two other officials.
Police have detained the suspects as they prepare to arraign them in court.
