US-based law scholar Prof Makau Mutua has lauded the Commission for University Education (CUE) over plans to investigate doctorate degrees recently issued by the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
In a tweet on Wednesday, Mutua asked the CUE to audit all other universities so that cases of fraud are cut off from Kenyan universities.
"Thanks to CUE for probing the highly questionable 118 JKUAT PhDs. Don’t stop there. Audit all universities for FRAUD to restore academic standards," he said.
Following a public uproar after JKUAT awarded 118 PhDs during their 33rd graduation ceremony, CUE has vowed to look into the matter and determine whether the certificates were genuinely acquired.
CUE chairman Chacha Nyaigoti Chacha stated that the commission will investigate whether required standards were followed in teaching, researching, and the examination processes.
“We are on the ground to look at these doctorates and we will take necessary action if we find that the law was not followed,” said Chacha as quoted by Daily Nation.
Reports indicate that one professor at the institution supervised more than 10 students who were pursuing their doctorate degree in the School of Entrepreneurship, Procurement and Management.
According to CUE guidelines, one professor is required to take at most three learners.