The Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) has directed Northwestern Christian University-Kenya to immediately recall an honorary doctorate degree awarded to Oscar Sudi during the institution’s 17th graduation ceremony on December 21, 2024.
Violation of Engineers Act, 2011
EBK clarified that the honorary degree in question misused the professional title “Engineer”, a violation of Sections 26(1) and (2) of the Engineers Act, 2011, which reserves the style and title “Eng.” exclusively for Professional and Consulting Engineers registered with the Board.
The misuse further breaches Sections 26(3) and 47(2) of the Act, which impose legal penalties on unauthorized individuals using protected professional titles.
Immediate Corrective Action
The Board has formally written to Northwestern Christian University-Kenya with the following directives:
- Recall the honorary degree certificate immediately.
- Remove the “Eng.” title from the document.
- Reissue a corrected certificate without the protected title.
Failure to comply with these directives could result in legal repercussions as outlined in the Engineers Act, 2011.
Public Outcry on Social Media
The issue gained significant traction on social media platforms, where users raised concerns about the misuse of professional titles and questioned the credibility of such honorary awards.
Safeguarding Professional Standards
EBK emphasized that the misuse of the “Engineer” title undermines the integrity of the engineering profession and public trust in professional qualifications.
Legal Consequences Await Violators
The Board reiterated that the Kenyan Constitution provides clear legal pathways for addressing violations related to professional titles, and offenders may face fines and other penalties if found guilty.
Call for Public Vigilance
EBK urged the public to report any misuse of professional titles to ensure the credibility and standards of the engineering profession are upheld across Kenya.
