Authorities in Mombasa have arrested four individuals, including two foreign nationals, for running a fraudulent university that issued academic certificates within an unusually short period.
The suspects allegedly operated a fake institution near a well-known hotel in Mombasa, where they offered Master’s and PhD certificates after just three days of training.
Detectives launched investigations after receiving intelligence about the illegal activities. Officers from Bamburi Police Station moved in swiftly and arrested the four suspects, including an American and a Pakistani national.
In a dramatic turn of events, police raided the premises just in time to halt an ongoing graduation ceremony where unsuspecting students were about to receive their fake academic certificates.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the fraudulent university had already prepared three Master of Business Administration (MBA) certificates specializing in Leadership and Management, along with two honorary PhD degrees in Leadership (Hon. Causa).
Following their arrest, the suspects were arraigned before the Shanzu Law Courts, where they faced charges under the Universities Act.
They were accused of Conferring Degrees Without Accreditation of Foreign Universities, which violates Section 28(2) as read with Section 5 of the Act.
The law explicitly states that any person who falsely claims to license, accredit, recognize, inspect, or collect fees on behalf of a university without approval from the Commission for University Education commits an offense. If convicted, such individuals face a fine of up to KSh2 million or imprisonment.
The suspects denied the charges in court and were granted bond terms of KSh400,000 with a surety of the same amount or a cash bail of KSh300,000. The case is set for mention on February 18.
The issue of fake academic certificates has been a growing concern in Kenya for many years. Institutions such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have been battling new schemes devised by fraudsters to bypass the system.
This recent case highlights a fresh challenge for anti-fraud agencies in the country, especially at a time when both the DCI and EACC have intensified their efforts to crack down on fake academic credentials.
In October 2024, the EACC extended its crackdown to government employees and arrested four individuals who were found with forged academic certificates. The culprits had secured employment in various public institutions, including schools, county governments, and state corporations.
The Mombasa case has once again brought attention to the rising number of fake universities that exploit unsuspecting individuals by issuing certificates that have no academic credibility.
Authorities have vowed to remain vigilant in identifying and shutting down such fraudulent institutions to protect the integrity of the country’s education system.
Join Gen z and millennials TaskForce official 2025 WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time the ongoing situation https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
