Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has reignited a bitter row with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja. He claims the police chief never attended university and says questions about academic papers will be settled.
Speaking in remarks reported on September 19 2026 Gachagua said the issue of fake degrees would be dealt with. He argued that even the Nairobi governor holds a fake degree. He then turned to Kanja and said the police boss would start stammering if asked to name his lecturers.
This is not the first time the claim has come up. In July 2026 the former deputy president alleged on television that Kanja’s degree certificate was fake. He also said President William Ruto had personally told him about the matter and that it left the police chief open to political pressure.
Kanja’s qualifications were examined during his 2024 parliamentary vetting for the top police job. He presented a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from Inoorero University awarded in 2014 along with a diploma in business management. The Commission for University Education authenticated the degree and Parliament approved his appointment.
Inoorero University has since closed. Kanja rose through the ranks over nearly four decades after joining the service as a constable in 1985. He also holds extensive security and leadership training from Kenya and abroad.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen defended the police chief after the July claims. He said the appointment followed due process and that no formal petition had been filed against Kanja. The Inspector General has not responded directly to the latest remarks and no independent proof has been made public.
Gachagua now leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party and links the issue to the 2027 elections.