Honorary Degrees for Sale: Unmasking Kenya’s Predatory Briefcase Universities

• The controversy surrounding Northwestern Christian University and Open Christian University highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of higher education regulations in Kenya.
• The proliferation of rogue institutions exploiting legal loopholes must be curbed to protect the integrity of academic qualifications.
• The CUE and other regulatory bodies must take swift and firm action to address this issue and set a precedent for future cases.

The conferment of honorary degrees (Honoraris Causa) in Kenya has sparked controversy, with unrecognised institutions like Northwestern Christian University and Open Christian University accused of undermining academic integrity. These entities have come under scrutiny for awarding unverified titles, eroding the credibility of the country’s higher education system.

In recent confirmed reports, an institution by the name Northwestern Christian University, at its 17th graduation ceremony, purportedly conferred assorted persons with 23 honorary doctorates and 1 honorary professorship. Similarly, Open Christian University conferred 18 honorary doctorate degrees during a ceremony held in a Kisumu hotel on December 20, 2024.

The actions of universities in question have underscored the broader issue of unregulated institutions, herein, I refer to them as “Predatory Briefcase Universities” (PBUs). These entities operate without physical campuses, credible faculty, or rigorous academic programs.

Instead, they focus on conferring honorary degrees to prominent individuals in exchange for fees or other incentives. This commercialisation of education has reduced degrees to commodities rather than symbols of achievement, thereby tarnishing the reputation of legitimate universities and diluting the value of honorary academic titles.

The conferment of honorary degrees by PBUs in Kenya has raised serious concerns about their legitimacy and integrity.

Key red flags include the selection of conferees, often politicians and businesspersons without notable achievements, undermining the traditional purpose of such titles. These institutions deviate from academic norms by awarding honorary degrees en masse during single ceremonies, as well as honorary professorship—a practice virtually unheard of in reputable institutions.

Further scrutiny reveals the PBUs to lack accreditation from the Commission for University Education (CUE), rendering their awards illegal under Kenyan law.

Graduation ceremonies are purely for honorary conferment without any earned qualifications at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. PBUs hold graduations in rented venues like hotels and diploma colleges, exposing their lack of physical campuses (seat of the university) or legitimate operations.

Additionally, the proprietors behind these schemes often claim academic titles without verifiable credentials, raising further doubts. These practices erode the value of honorary titles and highlight the urgent need for tighter regulation to safeguard Kenya’s higher education standards and restore public trust in the academic system.

But how do the PBUs operate? The mass conferment of honorary degrees presents lucrative opportunities cloaked in academic pretense. These unaccredited institutions exploit regulatory loopholes to generate revenue by charging significant fees for conferring these degrees.

Honorary titles, often awarded to influential public figures and politicians, serve as a cash cow for such entities, with recipients willing to pay substantial sums to gain prestige and public recognition. This model thrives on the allure of academic status, offering a shortcut to accolades that would otherwise require years of rigorous study and/or achievement.

The process of obtaining an honorary degree from these PBUs typically begins with a nominee receiving a notification letter detailing mandatory fees.

A nomination letter in my possession outlines the following requirements: a non-refundable registration fee of USD 100, a PhD gown fee of USD 700 (which the nominee keeps), and a handling fee ranging from USD 700 for pastors and those in ministry, through USD 1,000 for politicians and businessmen, to USD 1,500 for honorary professorships.

In addition, nominees must attend a leadership summit and bring at least five attendees, each paying USD 50 and attending all sessions.

From the foregoing, for a fee of between Ksh 300,000 to Ksh 400,000, anyone, regardless of background, can become an honorary doctorate conferee or professor. I can point out some engineers and medical doctors who have opted for this academic scam, particularly the honorary professorship, in a bid lift their profiles.

Requiring conferees to bring five or more leaders serves dual purposes: boosting attendance at the event and recruiting the next group of targets. This underscores the profit-oriented nature of these dubious practices.

Beyond direct financial benefits, these PBUs strategically target high-profile conferees to enhance their own legitimacy and visibility.

By associating with prominent figures, PBUs create an illusion of credibility, drawing attention to their operations and, in some cases, attracting more clients.

The conferral ceremonies, often lavishly staged in rented venues, are used as marketing tools to project an image of success and global relevance, despite their lack of accreditation or academic rigor.

For PBUs, awarding honorary degrees serves as a tool for building networks of influence. The institutions cultivate relationships with politicians, business leaders, and celebrities, who in turn provide validation and visibility for their questionable operations.

This symbiotic relationship bolsters the institutions’ standing, enabling them to continue their activities with minimal scrutiny from regulatory authorities, as the conferees do the firefighting to defend their qualifications.

These practices also allow the rogue institutions, predominantly bible institutes, largely traceable to the United States, to continue operating under the radar of enforcement agencies.

By disguising themselves as global or faith-based organisations, they exploit public trust and cultural respect for academia and religion to evade accountability. The conferment of honorary degrees thus becomes both a financial strategy and a shield against oversight, enabling these institutions to thrive in the shadows of Kenya’s higher education system.

And what are the purported benefits to conferees? The conferment of honorary degrees by PBUs, while contentious, has often been seen as a pathway to elevated prestige for the recipients.

For many conferees, these titles offer a veneer of academic credibility, which can be leveraged in professional, social, or political spheres. Politicians, in particular, may find such accolades useful for boosting their public image, especially in societies that place a premium on educational achievements.

The title of “Doctor” lends an air of authority and intellectual distinction, potentially influencing voter perception and consolidating political capital.

Honorary degrees can open doors to new opportunities, such as invitations to speak at events, consultative roles, or appointments to boards and committees.

These titles often enhance an individual’s résumé, giving them an edge in competitive industries or when seeking endorsements. For public figures, an honorary degree from any institution—whether accredited or otherwise, may serve as a validation of their accomplishments, real or perceived, in areas like leadership, philanthropy, or advocacy.

Some conferees may also view honorary degrees as symbols of social status, boosting their self-esteem and elevating their standing in their communities.

In societies where academic qualifications are highly revered, such titles can increase respectability and influence among peers and the general public.

This can be particularly appealing for individuals who lack formal academic qualifications but wish to bridge the gap between perceived and actual accomplishments.

In certain cases, the benefits extend to financial gain. Individuals with honorary degrees might capitalise on their new titles to command higher fees for public appearances, consultancy services, or professional engagements.

The academic recognition, however questionable its legitimacy, can also attract sponsorships or partnerships from organizations seeking to associate with prominent personalities.

To address this issue, as an expert in university education, I propose several measures. The CUE should conduct regular audits, publish a comprehensive list of accredited universities, and launch public awareness campaigns to educate Kenyans about legitimate degree-awarding entities.

Also, stricter penalties should be imposed on rogue institutions, including hefty fines, legal action, and immediate shutdowns. Individuals accepting degrees from unaccredited institutions should be made aware of the consequences, as this could deter others from engaging in similar practices.

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The controversy surrounding Northwestern Christian University and Open Christian University highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of higher education regulations in Kenya.

The proliferation of rogue institutions exploiting legal loopholes must be curbed to protect the integrity of academic qualifications.

The CUE and other regulatory bodies must take swift and firm action to address this issue and set a precedent for future cases.