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Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Education Cabinet Secretary over accreditation concerns in dental degree programmes.
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The dispute centers on Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programmes at the University of Nairobi and Moi University.
By our reporter
The 14-day ultimatum issued by the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has brought renewed scrutiny to the accreditation status of Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programmes in Kenya. While the concerns raised warrant attention, the public debate must remain grounded in facts rather than speculation.
COFEK’s petition reportedly hinges on a legal interpretation of transitional provisions within the Universities Act, arguing that the dental programmes offered by the University of Nairobi and Moi University may lack clear accreditation status. However, raising questions about accreditation is not the same as proving that the programmes are unlawful.
For decades, these institutions have operated under the oversight of government regulators, trained thousands of dental professionals, and contributed significantly to Kenya’s healthcare system. Their graduates continue to serve in both public and private health facilities across the country. If there were fundamental legal defects in the programmes, questions arise as to why such concerns were not conclusively addressed by the relevant regulatory bodies much earlier.
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The Ministry of Education can reasonably argue that the absence of publicly available accreditation records should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of non-compliance. Regulatory matters often involve historical approvals, transitional frameworks and inter-agency oversight mechanisms that require careful examination before definitive conclusions can be drawn.
Equally important is the need to protect students and graduates from unnecessary anxiety. Public declarations suggesting that long-running degree programmes may be illegal could have far-reaching consequences for learners, parents and professionals, particularly if such claims are made before a comprehensive audit is completed.
The appropriate course of action is for the Ministry of Education and the Commission for University Education to provide full clarification and documentation regarding the programmes’ status. Transparency is essential, but so too is adherence to due process.
Ultimately, COFEK’s intervention may serve a useful accountability purpose. However, until regulators conclude their review and present verified findings, allegations regarding the legality of Kenya’s dental programmes should be treated as claims requiring investigation rather than established facts. Responsible public discourse demands evidence, not alarm.
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