Controversial Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has been awarded an honorary doctorate degree by a United States-based university with satellite campuses in Kenya.
Sudi was Saturday awarded the doctorate degree by Northwestern Christian University during a graduation ceremony where former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri was the chief guest.
The MP was awarded an honorary doctorate in leadership Administration and Management for what the university termed as his contribution to development. The graduation ceremony was held at the Eldoret National Polytechnic.
This comes six months after a court in Nairobi acquitted the MP 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.
Sudi was awarded honorary degree alongside Sirisia MP John Waluke and Didmus Barasa (Kimilili).
While presenting the Kapseret MP for the award during the graduation ceremony, Northwest University cited his contributions to social and economic development.
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, the MP was identified by the title Eng, a reference 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.”
Northwestern Christian University's main campus is located in Florida, USA.
Sudi is a businessman with investments in real estate and agriculture. He recently established Timba XO club in Eldoret.
The MP 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 said political leaders are selfless and deserved recognition. Barasa did not turn up for the graduation.
“It is tough being a Kenyan politician. You have to be ready to be turned into pauper or be jailed or be killed. I am happy that we are being recognized,” Waluke said.
Mr Ngunjiri thanked the university for recognizing leaders efforts.
“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 the list of politicians who have been awarded honorary doctorate degrees by various universities.
They include 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 former Prime Minister Raila Odinga are among leaders who have 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 seat.
Wanjiru graduated with Doctor of Theology from Vineyard Harvester Bible College on July 13, 2003. On October 26, 2010, she graduated with 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 by 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.
