Students in dilemma as DCI detectives storm and halt graduation ceremony
By William Muthama, December 14, 2025The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has moved to halt a graduation ceremony organised by an unaccredited institution in Changamwe, Mombasa County.
According to a post on X by the agency on Sunday, December 14, 2025, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), working alongside the Commission for University Education (CUE), intervened after receiving reports of an illegal graduation underway at a local church.
Students were already in caps and gowns, ready to celebrate what they believed were legitimate academic achievements, before the ceremony was stopped.
Illegal degrees exposed
The agency noted that preliminary investigations revealed that the institution is registered only to offer courses up to diploma level.
However, the graduation list included students scheduled to receive bachelor’s and master’s degrees, qualifications that the institution is not licensed to award.
The DCI said this raised serious concerns about academic credibility and the exploitation of unsuspecting students.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the discrepancy led to the immediate suspension of the ceremony and the detention of those responsible for running the unaccredited programmes.
The agency noted that investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of the illegal activity, including whether students or other staff were complicit.
Authorities warn public
The DCI urged members of the public to always verify the accreditation status of institutions before enrolling in any course.
“Students and parents must confirm that an institution is authorised to offer the programmes they advertise,” the agency stated, warning that issuing unapproved degrees is illegal and can lead to arrests.
The agency also highlighted the dangers of falling for shortcuts in education. “Shortcuts in education can lead to dead ends,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said, stressing that fraudulent institutions often mislead students with promises of quick qualifications and fake diplomas or degrees.
Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious institutions through official channels, including the DCI toll-free line and WhatsApp numbers.
The agency assured the public that all tips would be treated confidentially and acted upon promptly to prevent further exploitation and protect the integrity of education in Kenya.