Maasai Mara University Professor Accused of Holding Fake Academic Credentials
A petitioner has approached the Public Service Commission (PSC), alleging that a professor at Maasai Mara University holds forged documents and seeks to prevent his appointment as deputy vice chancellor.
Rolex Kimani Wakiaga claims that Prof. James Simiren Ole Nampushi of Maasai Mara University possesses falsified academic documents, a fake birth certificate, and a counterfeit national identity card.
He aims to stop the PSC from interviewing Prof. Ole Nampushi for the deputy vice chancellor (administration, finance, and strategy) position, which the professor has been acting in since 2019.
Interview Proceedings Despite Allegations
Despite these allegations, it has been confirmed that Prof. Ole Nampushi was interviewed on June 11, 2024, along with other candidates. The other candidates on the shortlist include:
- Prof. Oyaro Nathan Mayora
- Prof. Loice Chemngetich Maru
- Prof. Hellen Kiende Mberia
- Prof. Margaret Akoth Oloko
- Prof. James M.J Njiru
- Prof. Fredrick B. J Angaga Ngala
The PSC advertised the position in February of this year, receiving 27 applications, with Prof. Ole Nampushi being one of the seven shortlisted candidates.
During the interview, candidates are expected to present documents, some of which Mr. Wakiaga alleges are questionable.
The PSC has invited the public to provide credible information regarding any of the shortlisted candidates.
Mr. Wakiaga claims that Prof. Ole Nampushi gained admission to Moi University using forged documents, where he studied for a degree in tourism and travel services management.
He also states that the professor holds questionable certificates from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), including a Certificate of Primary Education, Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, Advanced Certificate of Secondary School, and a Higher National Diploma in Personnel Management.
Mr. Wakiaga has requested the PSC to obtain true copies of these certificates from KNEC.
Mr. Wakiaga argues that these alleged forgeries render Prof. Nampushi’s degree obsolete, invalid, and useless.
He further claims that Prof. Nampushi used the bachelor’s degree from Moi University to gain admission to Clemson University in the US, where he earned a master’s degree in parks, recreation, and leisure studies, followed by a doctorate in parks, recreation, and tourism management.
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Mr. Wakiaga has petitioned the Commission for University Education to revoke Prof. Nampushi’s PhD and his appointment as an associate professor at Maasai Mara University.
He also alleges that Prof. Ole Nampushi is under investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission for document forgery and falsification.
In support of his allegations, Mr. Wakiaga attached copies of two birth certificates with different dates of birth, claiming that the professor’s actual birth date is December 20, 1965, not December 20, 1975.
Maasai Mara University Professor Accused of Holding Fake Academic Credentials
