Constitutional advisor Professor Makau Mutua has urged Kenya to take bold steps to protect academic integrity by regulating how honorary doctorates are used in the country.
Speaking on the matter, he pointed to Ethiopia’s new policy introduced in July 2025, which banned individuals with honorary doctorates from using the title “Dr.” in official or public platforms.
Ethiopia’s directive also restricted how universities award such degrees, ensuring that they remain purely ceremonial and cannot be misused to create confusion with academic titles earned through rigorous study and research.
According to Mutua, this was a progressive move that Kenya must seriously consider adopting.
He explained that an honorary doctorate is meant to recognize an individual’s contribution to society, leadership, or philanthropy, but it does not equate to academic achievement.
By restricting the use of the title “Dr.” to those who have undergone the academic process, Ethiopia has helped maintain respect for genuine scholarship.
Mutua argued that Kenya has witnessed misuse of honorary degrees, with some recipients presenting themselves as academic authorities without having gone through the necessary qualifications.
This, he warned, risks diluting the credibility of education and undermines the value of higher learning.
Education Cabinet Secretary Hon. Julius Migos was singled out as the person who should spearhead this reform in Kenya.
Mutua said the Ministry of Education should develop clear guidelines on how honorary degrees are awarded and how they should be used.
By doing so, Kenya would protect both the dignity of universities and the integrity of academic titles.
By Newshub