Degrees Under the Microscope as Ogamba Orders Sweeping Probe

Kenya’s higher education sector has been thrust into the spotlight after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba ordered an immediate investigation into allegedly questionable degrees issued by Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).

In a directive released on April 1, Ogamba tasked the Commission for University Education (CUE) with conducting a comprehensive audit of recent graduands from the institution. The inquiry seeks to establish whether those awarded degrees were bona fide students who satisfied all academic and institutional requirements.

The move follows a surge of allegations circulating across social and mainstream media platforms, casting doubt on the legitimacy of some certificates issued during the university’s recent graduation ceremonies. The claims have triggered widespread public concern, with many Kenyans questioning whether the country’s higher education system is sufficiently safeguarding the credibility of its qualifications.

“Following allegations circulating… questioning the bona fides of some graduands… I have directed the Commission for University Education to undertake a thorough investigation,” Ogamba stated.

At stake is more than the reputation of a single institution. The unfolding controversy strikes at the heart of public confidence in Kenya’s academic institutions—raising urgent questions about oversight, accountability, and the enduring value of a university degree in an increasingly scrutinized education system.