Uganda's Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola, has ordered investigations into Nairobi Senator, Johnson Sakaja's degree awarded by Team University.
The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in Uganda reportedly informed the Commission for University Education (CUE) in Kenya that they had halted inquiries into the legitimacy of Sakaja's degree.
In the letter authored by Prof Mary Okwakol, NCHE Executive Director, the Commission noted that since the police boss has more jurisdiction in the matter, they will not continue with the probe.
“NCHE commenced investigations in order to determine the authenticity of the Bachelor of Science in Management (External) degree awarded to Sakaja Johnson by Team University.
"However, prior to completion of our investigation, the Inspectorate of Government (IG) has commenced investigations into the same matter, hence superseding our action,” the letter from NCHE read.
“The purpose of this letter is, therefore, to inform you of the above development and to advise that a final position will be availed once the investigation by the IG is concluded.”
Sakaja's degree recognition was officially annulled by CUE on Thursday, June 30. The Commission claimed in a letter to the chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Wafula Chebukati, that Team University and Sakaja failed to provide the essential proof that led to its judgment.
The institution, NCHE, or Sakaja himself had not provided any evidence by the time the investigation was completed, according to Mwenda Ntarangwi, the Chief Executive Officer of CUE.
“Failure to submit the most basic evidence of study and the process of earning a degree inevitably renders the certificate submitted for recognition inefficient to prove that Sakaja studied either physically or through distance learning and that he holds an academic degree,” Ntarangwi said in his letter to Chebukati.
The IEBC Chairperson, Wafula Chebukati, on Friday, July 1, argued that the matter surrounding the academic certificate issued by Team University, Uganda was resolved by the disputes tribunal and hence Sakaja will be on the ballot.
He also remarked that the Commission intended to proceed with poll preparations, a few hours after Justice Anthony Mrima allowed the IEBC to continue with the printing of the ballot papers.
In an interview with students who attended Team University at the period Sakaja was allegedly enrolled there, none of them admitted to being Sakaja's classmate.
