Sirisia MP John Waluke (left) and his Kapsaret counterpart Oscar Sudi after receiving honorary degrees from America's Northwestern Christian University during the university's 17th graduation ceremony held at Eldoret National Polytechnic in Eldoret City on December 21, 2024.
Six months after he was acquitted of charges of forgery of academic papers, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has been awarded an honorary degree.
The degree was awarded by little-known Northwestern Christian University, whose campus was last year flagged by a regulator for offering an unaccredited course.
Mr Sudi received an honorary doctorate degree in leadership Administration and Management at a ceremony held at Eldoret National Polytechnic on Saturday.
The Commission on University Education (CUE) in June last year cautioned the public against enrolling in the university together with the 13 others, noting that it was not accredited to offer the Bachelor of Arts, Bible and Theology.
It is not clear from last year's notification whether the other courses offered by the universities have been approved.
Read: MP scoffs at EACC over fake certificates claim
“Members of the public are hereby being noticed that any institution purporting to offer university education in Kenya and does not appear in this list is an illegal entity and is not authorised to operate, “CUE said in the June 27, 2023 notice in the MyGov publication, a weekly publication for all government advertising.
The Northwestern Christian University describes itself on its official website as theologically accredited by the International Association for Christian Education Accountability.
Read: Falsified credentials? Politicians with questioned academic papers
Apart from Mr Sudi, Northwestern University also awarded Sirisia MP John Waluke an honorary degree in Public Administration and Political Science.
It further awarded the honorary degree in leadership, administration and management to Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa in absentia during a ceremony held at Eldoret National Polytechnic.
Former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri was the chief guest in the event attended by United Democratic Alliance nominated MP Joseph Iraya Wainaina who was last year conferred an honorary degree by the university for his efforts in uniting Kenyans.
Mr Sudi, who was accompanied by his political supporters as he entered the graduation square, was acquitted on June 2, 2024, of forging his academic certificates after it was established that there was no evidence to support the forgery charges.
And on Saturday, December 21, the lawmaker was overcome with joy as he was awarded the degree by Ezine Enos the Northwestern University Director of all campuses in Kenya.
“Northwestern Christian University hereby confers upon Hon Eng. Oscar Kipchumba Sudi honorary Doctorate Degree in Leadership, Administration and Management,” stated the award.
But the designation ‘Engineer’ in the honorary doctorate certificate Mr Sudi posted immediately sparked criticism from the Engineers Board with the President Shammah Kiteme who reacted in the X post against misuse of the title.
“Please note the initial Eng. before anyone's name is protected by law; Engineers Act 2011. It takes at least 8 years of hard work to earn it. @HonOscarSudi please stop this disrespectful use of the title you haven’t earned,” noted Eng. Shammah on his X post.
Mr Sudi said he was humbled by the award and promised to support education and especially disadvantaged students to pursue their studies.
“The award of the honorary degree is a great recognition by the university to some of us who have been sidelined academically. We now want to uplift the institution in terms of student enrolment and for students to access bursaries,” said Mr Sudi.
Read: Knec: Code on Oscar Sudi certificate belongs to different school
He called for the appropriate allocation of bursary funds to benefit needy students. He said that his passion for education has seen him sponsor 50 students to pursue their academic dreams.
“Despite claims by many that I did not go to school, I have ensured that my two children have attained university education while I continue to support many students to pursue their studies,” said Mr Sudi.
He cautioned the youth especially the Gen-Z against leading lavish lifestyles and asked them to invest in education and income-generating activities that will improve their lives.
The lawmaker later led supporters and other members of the public to his Timba XO club where he celebrated the award of the honorary degree.
Mr Waluke termed the award of the honorary degree a turning point in his life.
“I did not know that I would one day be awarded such a degree after undergoing such tribulations but I thank God for what has happened today,” said Mr Waluke who was joined by his supporters for a jig after the graduation ceremony.
The Northwestern Christian University conferred Doctorate, Masters, Bachelor’s degrees and award of Diploma and Certificates during the 17th graduation ceremony in the country.
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