The Commission for University Education (CUE) has flagged 15 universities and colleges for operating illegally.
In a notice released on March 11, 2025, the regulator cautioned the institutions of higher learning against offering fake degrees and post graduate diplomas. CUE also called on members of the public to exercise caution before enrolling in any academic programme in order not to be duped.
“Members of the public should contact the commission to establish the accreditation and recognition status of any institution offering academic programmes under collaboration and whether the CUE has granted the said institution authority to collaborate, prior to enrolment in such academic programmes,” they said.
For the avoidance of doubt, stated CUE, any institution operating as a university or degree awarding and which does not appear on the commission's list of approved institutions is illegal and their degree qualifications will not be recognised in Kenya.
Those blacklisted include Eldoret Bible College, Al-Munawarah College (Mombasa), Grace Life Bible College (Vihiga), Africa Theological Seminary (Kitale) and Regions Beyond Ministry Bible College (Thika).
Others are Baraton College (Kapsabet), The Africa Talent University (Kisumu), Breakthrough Bible College (Nairobi), Theophilus Theological College (Kiambu) as well as Northwestern Christian University and Logos University both in Kakamega.
In Vihiga County, CUE outlawed Word of Faith Bible College, Harvest Land University in Kisumu, Kenya Anglican University - Kanyuambora in Embu and Nyeri’s East African University Bradegate International University.
“The commission has established that the institutions are offering degree and postgraduate diploma programmes without grant of authority to operate,” CUE announced on its website.
The commission noted that only 79 universities have been accredited to offer more than 4,000 academic degree programmes in Kenya.
Out of the total number, 35 public universities have been recognised and authorised to offer various academic programmes while National Defence University- Kenya, Open University of Kenya and National Intelligence and Research University are the only public institutions recognized to award specialized degrees.
On the other hand 28 institutions have been listed as private chartered universities, two as private university constituent colleges while six institutions have letters of interim authority.
