Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) has announced that it will conduct a fresh audit of all 2024 graduates before awarding them certificates. This decision follows serious allegations of corruption and irregularities surrounding the graduation process at the institution, notably the bribing of university officials to help students avoid supplementary examinations and gain unauthorized access to the graduation list.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) revealed the disturbing details on Tuesday, November 26, stating that at least 200 students from JOOUST had allegedly paid bribes to university officials in order to be included in the 2024 graduation list without fulfilling their academic requirements. The issue came to light as part of the commission’s ongoing investigations into academic fraud in universities across the country.
In response to the EACC’s revelations, the Vice Chancellor of JOOUST, Prof. Emily Akuno, confirmed that the university had acted swiftly by removing the names of students who had been involved in the bribery scandal from the preliminary graduation list. This was part of the university’s commitment to upholding academic integrity and ensuring that only deserving candidates receive their degrees. Prof. Akuno further explained that a team had been set up to work closely with the EACC to conduct a thorough vetting process of all 2024 graduates before any certificates are issued.
“We are dedicated to promoting transparency, ethical conduct, and good governance in all our operations,” Prof. Akuno assured the public during a press briefing. “We appreciate the public’s continued support and patience as these matters are addressed through the appropriate legal and institutional channels.”
The EACC’s investigation into the matter has highlighted the gravity of the allegations, with the commission emphasizing the need for immediate corrective action. EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumbi, who launched the investigations on November 26, urged the university administration to take swift administrative measures to address the issue. Ngumbi warned that if the investigations confirm the corruption claims, it would be a significant problem for the university’s reputation and academic credibility. “The commission expects the university administration to move with speed and take administrative action to remedy the menace,” he said in Ugenya sub-county.
This incident at JOOUST is part of a broader trend of academic fraud that the EACC has been investigating. Ngumbi disclosed that the commission is currently probing similar allegations in at least 18 other universities, indicating a systemic issue within higher education institutions. These investigations have sparked widespread concern about the integrity of university systems and the value of degrees awarded in an environment where corruption appears to be taking root.
The EACC’s intervention highlights the growing focus on ethics and accountability within Kenyan universities, which have long struggled with allegations of academic dishonesty, including cheating in exams and irregular awarding of degrees. The commission’s role in uncovering these practices is critical in restoring public trust in higher education.
The situation at JOOUST underscores the broader challenge of maintaining integrity in academia, where the pressure to graduate on time often leads some students to seek shortcuts. However, such actions have far-reaching consequences, not only for the students involved but also for the institutions and the public perception of the value of their degrees.
As the investigations continue, it remains to be seen what further action will be taken against those implicated in the scandal. The EACC has made it clear that it will push for legal and institutional measures to address the issue, sending a strong message to other institutions about the importance of maintaining high ethical standards in the awarding of degrees.
The JOOUST case serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance, transparency, and strong governance in all educational institutions. It also reaffirms the importance of upholding the values of fairness and academic merit in the pursuit of higher education.
