Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has announced a number of reforms to be implemented in order to curb the menace of fake degrees.
Addressing stakeholders at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) on Thursday, the CS stated that as it stands, it is difficult to verify the quality of a diploma or a degree programme.
“What we are doing here is ending anarchy in the certification and qualification processes in the country. I think the rain started beating with the massification of universities in the country.
"Currently you will meet seven people who have studied for different periods yet they have the same certificates, we need to put an end to that,” he asserted.
[caption caption="Education CS Fred Matiangi at a past event."]
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The acting Interior CS also announced that universities will form a developed policy plan to avoid what he termed as ‘frustration’ of students when they apply for admissions in the same or other institutions.
Dr. Matiang'i also lamented that the Commission of University Education (CUE) has been on the receiving end of politicians, who have sued it for clearing certain candidates to run for elective positions for lacking proper Kenyan degrees as required by law.
“We are facing a lot of problems at Jogoo House because all manner of politicians are suing us after we clear politicians to run for elective seats. To solve that, we are forced to write to the country which that politician studied to establish the authenticity of the degree,” he added.
This came shortly after the University of Nairobi revoked the degree cetificate of Meru Senator Mithika Linturi.
It is suspected that the Senator presented fake papers to join the University.
[caption caption="Meru Senator Mithika Linturi"]
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Shortly after the revelations, former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale applauded the institution for sniffing out Mr Linturi and asked the necessary authorities to crack the whip on more leaders.
“Congratulations to the University of Nairobi! And just about time you cast the net wider,” commended Mr Khalwale.
