Education Cabinet Secretary, George Magoha, has stamped his authority in the pursuit of politicians with fake academic papers and are seeking elective posts ahead of the 2022 General Election.
Magoha wrote to Attorney General, Kihara Kariuki, asking him to intervene and guide his ministry in shielding the role by the Kenya National Qualification Authority (KNQA).
This is after a parliamentary committee, during last week's session, deemed KNQA's role in verifying academic papers as illegal.
In an attempt to prevent Parliament from limiting the powers, Magoha urged the AG to guide the ministry in amending the regulations in order to avoid sub sectors in Education from conflicting the disputed roles by KNQA.
There have been wrangles in court over KNQA's role in the verification of academic papers after a petitioner had moved to court arguing that the Authority had no powers to approve national and foreign certificates.
He argued that the task is delegated to the Technical and Vocational Training Authority (TVETA).
Further, National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee (PIC) backed the petition in Parliament last week- pointing out that they had not authorised KNQA to vet and approve academic certificates.
PIC Chairman, Abdulswamad Nassir, affirmed that KNQA is performing the roles illegally.
KNQA has been at the forefront of curbing fraudulent academic papers in the recent past. In Feb 2021, the Authority released a report revealing that 1 in 3 Kenyans possessed fake academic papers.
KNQA Director-General, Dr. Juma Mukhwana, highlighted the worrying statistics noting that the situation may get worse especially as the country heads to the next General Election.
“We are working with universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and foreign institutions to ensure the country has genuine and quality qualifications,” he previously stated.
A number of politicians have been accused of possessing fake academic papers. Taita Governor, Granton Samboja, Wiper Party's Agnes Kavindu, former Wajir Governor, Mohamed Abdi, former Kiambu governor, Ferdinand Waititu among others have been at the forefront of these accusations.
