The Fraudulent Behind Instant PhDs in Kenya

The rise of fake PhDs is severely damaging Kenya’s higher education system by devaluing legitimate academic achievements. Genuine scholars, who spend years conducting research, now share academic spaces with individuals holding fraudulent degrees. This weakens the credibility of Kenyan universities, making it harder for graduates to gain international recognition and opportunities.

Beyond academia, unqualified individuals infiltrating leadership, healthcare, and policymaking threaten governance and service delivery. Universities risk being led by unqualified administrators, while research institutions suffer from a lack of expertise, leading to poor education quality and stagnated innovation.

Globally, Kenya’s reputation as an academic hub is at risk. Employers and international institutions increasingly question the legitimacy of Kenyan degrees, potentially reducing global opportunities for genuine scholars.
The Kenyan government, through the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Ministry of Education (MoE), have been making attempts to combat diploma mills and academic fraud. In recent years, CUE has blacklisted unqualified institutions and MoE audited public servants’ academic credentials. However, diploma mills exploit legal loopholes, allowing the problem to persist.

Kenya’s Universities Act 2012 and Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) regulations criminalise academic fraud, but enforcement remains weak. Many fake institutions operate under false pretenses, and insufficient action by regulatory bodies enables fraud. The demand for quick PhDs fuels an underground market, making eradication difficult.
Several cases of fake PhDs among public figures have been exposed, leading to dismissals and legal actions. However, convictions remain rare due to weak enforcement and political interference.
Strengthening oversight, enforcing stricter penalties, and raising public awareness are crucial to preserving academic integrity.

As recent as mid –February 2025, following a tip-off, a group of unscrupulous individuals were rounded up and arrested by police in a Mombasa hotel at a function in which some academic cons were to be conferred with PhD degrees after only three days of training by a PBU.

This follows hot on the heels of another thuggish practice in which individuals, including politicians, pay to be awarded honorary degrees, further tainting the credibility of Kenya’s academic landscape.