What began as a moment of celebration for the Mombasa County Assembly quickly turned into a dispute after the University of Nairobi challenged claims that the Assembly’s Clerk, Mr Salim Juma, had graduated with a PhD in Business Administration from the institution.
On Friday, the Assembly Speaker, Mr Aharub Khatri, took to social media to congratulate Mr Juma, describing his graduation as a major academic achievement and praising his commitment to scholarship and public service.
He described the achievement as the product of “late nights, relentless discipline and an unshakable belief that leadership is at its best when anchored in knowledge.”
Mr Khatri said Mr Juma’s academic journey was an inspiration to Members of the County Assembly, staff and young people in Mombasa.
The Assembly also issued an official congratulatory message, saying Mr Juma’s academic journey, which began in 2018, was a testament to his dedication to lifelong learning.
But the celebrations were followed by a stern warning from the University of Nairobi, which disputed the information circulating about its 75th graduation ceremony held on September 18, 2026.
In a “False Information Notice” posted on its social media platforms, the university urged graduands, parents, guardians and members of the public to verify names against its official graduation booklet.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi Prof. Eng. Ayub N. Gitau during the university’s 75th graduation ceremony on September 18, 2026.
Photo credit: Pool
In the notice, the university also posted an image of Mr Juma and indicated that he was not on the graduation list for the September 18, 2026 ceremony.
“Graduands, parents, guardians and the public are advised to confirm names against the official University of Nairobi list. Do not rely on the circulating Facebook post as a source of verification,” the university stated.
The university’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr John Orindi, also disputed the claim, stating that, “Dr Salim Juma was not on University of Nairobi graduands list.”
However, Mr Juma said he was surprised by the university’s position and maintained that he had graduated.
“I equally saw the post on social media, I am surprised. I’m currently in Nairobi and I am planning to go to the university on Monday to seek clarity. I don’t understand what is happening. I am following the matter with the university. The university has not told me anything. But I graduated,” he said when contacted by the Daily Nation.
When asked for his graduation photos to authenticate the claims, Mr Juma said he did not have them where he was at the time.
Mr Juma’s academic journey, as outlined on his LinkedIn profile, spans undergraduate, postgraduate and senior management training.
His profile lists a Bachelor of Arts degree from Egerton University, followed by a Master of Business Administration from Kenya Methodist University.
His LinkedIn profile further lists a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Nairobi, an academic qualification that is now at the centre of the dispute following the university’s statement regarding the September 18 graduation ceremony.
