By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
Four suspects, including two foreign nationals, have been arrested in a sting operation aimed at a fraudulent university that was temporarily located at the White Sands Hotel in Mombasa County. The four suspects were found issuing Master’s and PhD degrees to enthusiastic participants who had undergone training for merely three days.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations reports that Dayis Lawrence Bennett, an American citizen, along with Farah Akab, a Pakistani national, Ekra Ndung’u, and Josephine Ndune, were detained by law enforcement officials from Bamburi Police Station following their awareness of the group’s suspicious activities.
“The award ceremony for the degrees was effectively halted when the gumshoes barged in and whisked the offenders away.”
“Some of the fraudulently awarded degrees include three Master of Business Administration (Leadership and Management) and two PhDs in Leadership (Hon. Causa),” the DCI said on an X post.
“The suspects have been arraigned before Shanzu Law Courts where they were charged with Conferring Degrees Without Accreditation of Foreign Universities Contrary to Section 28(2) as read with Section 5 of the Universities Act,” added the DCI.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty and were granted a bond of Ksh 400,000, accompanied by a similar surety, which must be executed under oath before the presiding court, or alternatively, a cash bail of Ksh 300,000 may be provided.
Additionally, the passports of the two foreign nationals were submitted to the court, with a subsequent mention scheduled for 18th February 2025.
The DCI further warned that no effort will be spared in arresting suspects who fraudulently issue certifications to individuals who fail to break a sweat.