TUK Dismisses Over 350 Employees for Fraudulent Academic Credentials

TUK Dismisses Over 350 Employees for Fraudulent Academic Credentials

The Technical University of Kenya (TUK) has terminated the employment of more than 350 staff members, including teachers, due to falsified academic qualifications. An audit exposed discrepancies in the credentials of these employees, leading to their removal from the payroll.

The dismissals span various levels within the university and are scheduled to take effect by the end of the month. An insider revealed that some cases will be forwarded to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) for further investigation and possible legal action.

Last year, TUK’s management embarked on restructuring its staff amid claims of overstaffing, which involved new hires and promotions that faced allegations of impropriety. In June 2023, the Director of Human Resource Management issued a memo instructing unit heads, school administrators, faculty, and center administrators to perform a staff headcount and identify vacancies.

The verification process for academic certificates began last December, involving checks with various educational institutions. Recently, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua pointed out that over 10,000 government employees possess questionable qualifications.

The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) TUK chapter has been in contact with its members to plan for the future. The union informed its members that some had received letters notifying them of their impending removal from the payroll, effective July 1, 2024, and asked affected members to share their letters with the chapter office for guidance.

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Fred Wanyonyi Sawenja, the chapter secretary, encouraged the union and its members to respond collectively, responsibly, and reasonably to the management’s actions.

In summary, TUK’s stringent audit and subsequent dismissals highlight the university’s dedication to upholding integrity in its academic and administrative operations. The involvement of anti-corruption and criminal investigation bodies underscores the seriousness of the matter, while the union’s proactive measures aim to support its members through this challenging period.

TUK Dismisses Over 350 Employees for Fraudulent Academic Credentials