Four individuals, including two foreign nationals, were arrested in Mombasa for allegedly operating a fraudulent university that issued Master’s and PhD degrees.
In a statement on Thursday, February 13, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the arrests were made during a sting operation at the White Sands Hotel, where the alleged institution had been temporarily set up.
"Two foreign nationals are among four suspects who have been arrested in a sting operation targeting a phony university that had been temporarily accommodated at the White Sands Hotel in Mombasa County. The four were found issuing Masters and PhD degrees to excited participants who had received training for only three days," DCI said.
The suspects were identified as Dayis Lawrence Bennett, an American citizen; Farah Akab, a Pakistani national; and two Kenyan nationals, Ekra Ndung'u and Josephine Ndune.
DCI said the suspects were arrested by officers from Bamburi Police Station during an award ceremony where degrees were being conferred to participants.
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The DCI disclosed that the degrees issued included three Master of Business Administration (Leadership and Management) and two PhDs in Leadership (Honoris Causa).
"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 added.
The suspects were arraigned before Shanzu Law Courts and charged with Conferring Degrees Without Accreditation of Foreign Universities Contrary.
According to DCI, they all pleaded not guilty and were granted a bond of Ksh 400,000 with a similar surety or a cash bail of Ksh 300,000.
Additionally, the passports of the two foreign nationals were surrendered to the court, and the case is set for mention on February 18, 2025.
"The DCI warns that no effort will be spared in apprehending suspects who fraudulently issue certifications to individuals who fail to break a sweat," the DCI warned.
