Education stakeholders in the South Rift region have raised concerns over the country’s increasing number of fake academic certificates and degrees.
The stakeholders, who included teachers, school heads, and university representatives, warned that the trend threatens the integrity of the education system and undermines the credibility of genuine qualifications.
Led by Phillip Chebunet, they asked the Commission for University Education and other regulatory bodies to intensify vetting processes and crack down on fraudulent academic institutions issuing fake degrees.
“The number of fake degrees in the market continues to increase. This is highly worrying,” he said.
Addressing the press, he also called for stricter penalties against individuals found using or facilitating the acquisition of forged academic documents, emphasising the need to protect the future of young learners and restore public confidence in the education sector.
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Chebunet noted that the proliferation of fraudulent academic papers, especially in job applications and promotions, has created unfair competition for genuinely qualified graduates and has infiltrated both the public and private sectors.
“We cannot allow a situation where people advance in careers or secure opportunities using fake degrees while hardworking students suffer. This must come to an end,” added Chebunet.
The stakeholders, who are also rooted in community awareness, emphasised that protecting the credibility of academic qualifications is vital for upholding standards, promoting equity, and restoring public trust in Kenya’s education and employment systems.
“The Commission for University Education and other regulatory bodies should intensify vetting processes and crack down on fraudulent academic institutions issuing fake degrees. Protecting the credibility of academic qualifications is vital for upholding standards, promoting equity, and restoring public trust in Kenya’s education and employment systems,” added the stakeholders.
The call comes amid rising public concern over some job seekers’ questionable qualifications. Stakeholders stress the need for transparency and verification in both the public and private sectors.
By Kimutai Langat
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