What was meant to be a day of celebration turned into shock and confusion after detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) abruptly halted a graduation ceremony organised by an unaccredited institution at Victory International Church in Changamwe, Mombasa County.
The operation, carried out by officers from the DCI Headquarters’ Serious Crime Unit (SCU) in collaboration with the Commission for University Education (CUE), followed intelligence reports that an illegal graduation ceremony was underway.
The investigators said the ceremony was progressing when officers arrived at the venue, complete with graduation gowns, mortarboards.
The families has gathered to witness what they believed was the culmination of years of academic effort.
“We received intelligence that an unlawful graduation was taking place, and when our officers arrived, the ceremony was already underway,” a senior DCI officer said. “Unfortunately, what was being celebrated had no legal basis.”
When confronted, organisers and officials linked to Menorah Training Institute and Dominion Mission Theological University Global, based in Ghana, failed to produce valid accreditation documents authorising them to award degrees or postgraduate qualifications in Kenya.
“Accreditation is not a technicality; it is the foundation of academic legitimacy,” a CUE official said. “Any institution awarding degrees without approval is misleading students and violating the law.”
Preliminary investigations revealed that Menorah Training Institute is registered with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and is authorised to offer courses only up to diploma level. However, the graduation list presented at the ceremony painted a very different picture.
Investigators established that five individuals were listed to receive master’s degrees. In contrast, 17 others were set to graduate with bachelor’s degrees—qualifications the institution is neither licensed to confer nor permitted to confer.
READ ALSO:
“This is not a minor oversight,” another investigator noted. “It is a deliberate misrepresentation that has serious consequences for learners who believed their qualifications were genuine.”
Following the discovery, detectives arrested several officials believed to be central to organising the ceremony. Those taken into custody include Daniel Dela (President), John Kibet, Philomena Milano, and Ann Ogola Owiti, all board members, as well as Jason Oduor and Michael Ochieng. The suspects are currently being processed as investigations continue, ahead of their expected arraignment in court.
“Anyone who profits from selling fake academic credentials must be held accountable,” the DCI officer said.
“We are treating this as a serious crime because it undermines the integrity of our education system.”
The DCI advised Kenyans to use its anonymous reporting channels to help curb education fraud, adding that safeguarding the credibility of academic qualifications is a shared responsibility.
For many of those present at the halted ceremony, the abrupt end marked not just the collapse of a graduation, but the painful realisation that their academic dreams may have been built on false promises.
Members of the public can report education fraud anonymously via the DCI hotline on 0800 722 203 (toll-free) or via WhatsApp 0709 570 000.
By Joseph Mambili
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.
