Embattled Nairobi gubernatorial candidate Johnson Sakaja now says he didn’t complete his studies at the University of Nairobi because of school fees challenges.
Sakaja’s academic papers have been a subject of discussion in the country in recent weeks amid allegations he forged his degree certificate from Team University in Uganda.
For a long time, the Nairobi Senator made Kenyans believe he is a graduate of the Univerisity of Nairobi (UoN) until he presented a degree certificate from the Ugandan institution to the electoral body for clearance last month.
Sakaja defends self
But speaking to a local radio station on Friday, July 1, 2022, Sakaja confessed that he is yet to graduate from UoN, where he was admitted to pursue Actuarial Science in 2003.
He said he was unable to complete at least three units at the varsity due to a lack of school fees.
“There is a document they (UoN) keep spreading around of students to be discontinued and it shows the reason there was school fees. Of course, it was a difficult process, there are a few units I didn’t complete but the ceremony of graduation is not what confers knowledge to you,” the legislator said.
Sakaja indicated that he was too embarrassed to go back to class when he finally got a financial breakthrough. He, however, promised to go back to school very soon to complete the program.
“By the time I was now able to go back I was too embarrassed and shy to go back to class. That is something I will complete, two-three units,” he added.
Sakaja, while dismissing the ongoing probe into his academic papers as a political witchhunt, insisted that his Business of Management degree from Team University is genuine.
The Commission for University Education (CUE) yesterday revoked recognition of the lawmaker’s degree for a second time, throwing his gubernatorial bid into limbo.
In a letter to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), CUE Secretary Mwenda Ntarangwi said by the conclusion of investigations into the authenticity of the degree issued by Team University, the candidate had not submitted any proof.
“Based on these findings and in compliance with the ongoing provisions of of sections of The Universities Act, 2012, Part XI of The Universities Regulations 2014, The Universities Standards and Guidelines, 2014, and the Standards for recognition and Equation of qualifications and granted the disclaimer in the certificate of recognition issued, the Commission has come to the m inescapable decision to that the purported degree certificate of Bachelor of Science in Management (External) is ineligible for recognition,” the letter read in part.
Last month, IEBC’s Disputes Resolution Committee dismissed a complaint challenging Sakaja’s eligibility to contest for the county’s top job citing a lack of jurisdiction to determine the validity of the candidate’s degree.
” This committee lacks the jurisdiction to investigate the authenticity of the degree of Sakaja. We, therefore, dismiss the complaint,” the George Murugu-led committee ruled while clearing Sakaja to contest in the August polls.
