Awarding Honorary Degrees in Kenya: Why Does the Process Favor Politicians?

amongIn Kenya, honorary degrees often stir controversy. Politicians, not high achievers in other fields, dominate the list of recipients. This raises questions: Is the selection based on merit or influence?

The debate reignited when Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi received an Honorary Doctorate in Leadership, Administration, and Management from Northwestern Christian University.

Many Kenyans questioned the decision, given past allegations of Sudi faking his academic credentials.

Honorary degrees recognize individuals who make significant contributions to society without meeting academic requirements. [Photo/X/Sudi]

Oscar Sudi Sparks Debate with Honorary Degree

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has stirred controversy after receiving an honorary doctorate despite allegations of faking his academic credentials.

The Eldoret National Polytechnic conferred Sudi with an Honorary Doctorate in Leadership, Administration, and Management.

Sudi expressed his gratitude on X, formerly Twitter, thanking the institution for recognizing him. “I am deeply honored to receive this honorary doctorate.

Education truly has no limits,” he wrote. He also congratulated the graduates, encouraging them to pursue impactful futures.

Celebrating Achievements Through Honorary Degrees

Sudi now joins notable Kenyans recognized with honorary degrees in 2024. Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon was honored by the University of Eldoret with an Honorary Doctorate in Education for her achievements in athletics and work empowering women and girls.

Bowling Green State University in the U.S. posthumously awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service to James Karugu, Kenya’s second Attorney General, for his contributions to law and public service.

How Honorary Degrees Are Awarded in Kenya

Honorary degrees recognize individuals who make significant contributions to society without meeting academic requirements. The process typically follows these steps:

1. Eligibility Criteria: Universities set guidelines, such as notable achievements or community service.
2. Nominations: Candidates are suggested by faculty, alumni, or other stakeholders.
3. Review Process: A committee evaluates nominees based on the set criteria.
4. Recommendation: The committee submits their top candidates to the university senate or governing body.
5. Approval: The Senate votes, and approved candidates are selected.
6. Announcement and Ceremony: The awards are announced, and recipients are honored during formal ceremonies.

While honorary degrees carry no academic credit, they spotlight outstanding achievements. However, as Sudi’s case shows, they can spark debate about whether influence or merit drives the selection process.

Professional bodies urge institutions to uphold the integrity of academic honors and refrain from awarding titles to individuals lacking credible academic or ethical qualifications.

Professional Bodies Condemn Honorary Degrees

IEK, among other professional bodies, has criticized Northwestern Christian University for awarding honorary degrees to politicians Oscar Sudi, Didmus Barasa, and John Waluke.

The move has raised concerns about undermining academic integrity and the misuse of professional titles.

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) strongly opposes the use of the title “engineer” without fulfilling proper academic requirements.

They argue that conferring such titles, like the one awarded to Oscar Sudi, devalues academic standards and violates the law. Misusing the title is punishable under legal statutes, according to the IEK.

John Waluke, another recipient, remains a controversial figure. Despite a corruption conviction leading to a 67-year prison sentence, his ties to influential political figures and a favorable Court of Appeal ruling granted him freedom.

Professional bodies have called on institutions to preserve the sanctity of academic honors and avoid awarding titles to individuals without credible academic or ethical standing.

This incident highlights the growing debate over the misuse of honorary degrees and the potential harm to genuine academic achievements.