In recent years, politicians and businesspeople have faced sharp criticism for obtaining honorary degrees (Honoraris Causa) from unrecognized institutions such as Northwestern Christian University and Open Christian University.
In an article published on scholarmedia.africa, Prof. Maurice Oduor Okoth referred to these institutions, which operate without “physical campuses, credible faculty, or rigorous academic programs,” as “Predatory Briefcase Universities” (PBUs).
These institutions confer honorary degrees to prominent individuals in exchange for money, often selecting conferees with no notable achievements, thereby bastardizing the purpose of such titles.
So what are the requirements of obtaining this honorary degree?
According to Professor Maurice, a nominee must pay a non-refundable registration fee of $100 (Ksh13,000).
Additionally, nominees are required to pay a PhD gown fee of $700 (Ksh91,000), which they get to keep.
Pastors and those in ministry are charged a handling fee of $700 (Ksh91,000), while politicians and businesspeople pay between $1,000 (Ksh130,000) and $1,500 (Ksh195,000).
Nominees must also attend a leadership summit and bring at least five attendees, each paying $50 (Ksh6,500).
Commission for University Education
According to the Northwestern Christian University website, prominent personalities have received degrees from the institution.
“Over the past 44 years: Governors, Mayors, Judges, Attorneys, Military Generals, College and University Presidents, even the former President of the Philippines, have all received degrees from Northwestern Christian University,” the website states.
The university made headlines in Kenya when it awarded honorary degrees to Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, along with his Kimilili and Sirisia counterparts Didmus Barasa and John Waluke. In 2023, the university conferred a similar degree to nominated MP Joseph Wainaina.
However, the Commission for University Education (CUE) has clarified that the university is not recognized in Kenya.
“The Commission wishes to inform the public that the entity operating in Kenya by the name Northwestern Christian University is an unaccredited institution,” read part of the CUE statement.
