Northwestern Church University, which awarded Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi an honorary doctorate degree on Saturday has been in the spotlight.
During the Saturday ceremony at the Eldoret National Polytechnic the church-run university based in Florida, United States surprised the country after awarding Sudi and two other MPs, John Waluke of Sirisia and Didmus Barasa (Kimilili).
The institution further pulled another surprise by inviting former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri as its chief guest, an honor reserved for distinguished academicians and top officials from the Ministry of Education.
The University has been raising eyebrows in Kenya and across the globe.
In mid last year, the Commission for University Education (CUE) listed 13 institutions that it claimed were illegally offering diplomas, degrees and postgraduate programmes in Kenya.
Among the 13 institutions of higher learning was Northwestern Christian University.
CUE warned Kenyans against enrolling in the institution and 12 others, saying their academic papers will not be recognized.
Online, Kenyans reacted and raised questions particularly after Northwestern Christian listed and introduced Sudi as an Engineer.
President of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) President Eng Shammah Kiteme said Eng title was protected by law and should not be used by individuals who have not earned it through training in recognized institutions.
“Please note that the initial Eng before anyone’s name is protected by law – Engineers Act 2011. It takes at least eight years of hard work to earn it. Please stop this (referring to Sudi as Engineer) disrespectful use of the title you haven’t earned,” said Eng Kiteme.
A further look at Northwestern University’s operations shows that the institution had been dishing out honorary degrees locally and abroad.
Last year, it awarded nominated MP Joseph Wainaina in Eldoret, raising eyebrows with Kenyans questioning the politicians’ contribution to society.
Reports also indicated that for over 44 years, the university had given degrees to several governors, mayors, judges, lawyers and military generals among other government officials in the Philippines.
Sudi was awarded an honorary doctorate in leadership Administration and Management for what the university termed as his contributions to development. The graduation ceremony was staged at the Eldoret National Polytechnic.
The honorary award came six months after a court in Nairobi acquitted the parliamentarian of charges of forgery of his academic papers, a matter that had dragged on in court for years.
On June 2, 2024, Chief Magistrate Felix Kombo ruled that Sudi had no case to answer.
Kombo acquitted Sudi on all nine charges of forgery saying the evidence adduced in court was illegally and fraudulently obtained.
A graduand among the 300 who graduated on Saturday told The Standard that the University was purely offering online classes despite listing more than ten satellite campuses in Kenya.
“There is a campus in Eldoret although I have not seen the physical structures. I am not sure about the location of the physical campus because we purely interact online,” the graduand said.
While presenting Sudi for the award during the graduation ceremony, Northwest University cited his contributions to social and economic development, but did not mention his previous academic credentials.
According to the university’s citation, Sudi, who has been Kapseret MP for over 12 years now, had delivered on community work especially in building churches and sponsoring the education of orphans, children from poor families as well as widows.
In the list of graduands, Sudi was identified with Eng, the title given to Engineers.
“Oscar Sudi is known as engineer for his hard work and has empowered boda boda and women various groups. He has empowered his community. He is involved in peace activities in the North Rift region,” the citation read in part.
The university further cited: “In our research, we saw it fit and he is qualified and to be honored for an honorary doctorate degree.”
Dr Sudi is a businessman with investments in real estate and agriculture. He recently established Timba XO club in Eldoret.
Sudi told graduands that serving humanity was the real degree.
“I am sponsoring more than 50 students from vulnerable families. I have also supported many people in different ways and that is the degree that we require,” the MP said.
Waluke political leaders were selfless and deserved recognition. His Kimilili counterpart, Barasa, did not turn up for the graduation.
“It is tough being a Kenyan politician. You have to be ready to be turned into a pauper or be jailed or be killed. I am happy that we are being recognized,” Waluke said.
Mr Ngunjiri, the chief guest, thanked the university for recognizing efforts by leaders.
“I am here because I value investment in education. The graduands will graduate and work in Kenya and abroad and build our economy. I am happy because the university which is run by the Church is championing peace,” he said.
He joins a league of other politicians who have been awarded honorary doctorate degrees by various universities.
They are among others Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Divinity and a Doctorate in Humane Letters in recognition of his achievements in peace making, conflict resolution efforts, sustainable community development and humanistic ideals by Kenyatta University.
Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and ex-Prime Minister Raila Odinga are among leaders who have previously been awarded with honorary degrees.
Atwoli was awarded by Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) for his long service in the trade union in 2018 while Uhuru and Raila were recognized for their handshake and push for national unity six years ago.
In December 2022, the Kenya Commission for Higher Education rejected the educational qualifications of Starehe MP Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, who was eying Nairobi Governor position.
Wanjiru received the degree of Doctor of Theology from Vineyard Harvester Bible College on July 13, 2003. On October 26, 2010, she received a bachelor's degree in Christian Leadership from United Graduate College and Seminary International, raising questions about how she got a PhD before attaining an undergraduate degree.
The graduation was presided over Dr Enos Ezine Musatsili, North Western University’s Country Director of all campuses in Kenya.
The university said it has satellite campuses in Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu, Karatina, Kakamega, Maralal, Butere and Teso among others.
