Engineers Board Cracks Down on Title Misuse in Sudi's Honorary Degree
When Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi walked across the stage at the Eldoret National Polytechnic on December 21, 2024, clutching an honorary degree in leadership, administration, and management, nobody expected the ceremony to spark a fierce backlash from the engineering community. But that’s exactly what happened after word got out that his certificate, granted by Northwestern Christian University-Kenya, included the Engineers Board of Kenya’s restricted “Eng.” professional title — a clear violation of the country’s strict rules.
By law, only those who have met all the qualifications and are officially registered can use the “Eng.” designation. So when the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) found out the honorary award used that title, the response was swift. On December 24, the EBK fired off a directive ordering the university to withdraw Sudi’s honorary doctorate immediately and strip the offending title from the certificate. EBK CEO Margaret Ogai didn’t mince words — she called the use of the title a punishable offense and accused the university of undermining the entire profession.
It didn’t take long for the academic community and the public to pile on. Some are calling not just for a correction, but for the entire honorary degree to be revoked. Their argument? Granting high-profile awards to politicians or community figures who have never trained or practiced in the field sends a dangerous message. There’s also growing unease about how universities, both private and public, may use honorary degrees for publicity without considering the qualifications attached to certain titles. More and more people are asking: Should universities be able to hand out honorary titles that are protected by law?
Spotlight on Enforcement and Academic Oversight
The EBK’s move is about more than one degree. Under Sections 26(3) and 47(2) of the Engineers Act, 2011, the “Eng.” title is reserved exclusively for licensed professionals. By giving it to anyone else, even by accident, institutions risk not just embarrassment but legal action and significant fines. Ogai and her colleagues say this isn’t the first time they’ve seen confusion around professional titles, and each time it threatens the reputation of the entire engineering sector.
So what happens next? Northwestern Christian University-Kenya has remained silent — no official statement, no hint of whether they’ll comply or fight back. Meanwhile, the whole situation is feeding a wider debate about academic integrity in Kenya. Honorary degrees aren’t new, but this controversy adds fresh urgency. Critics want universities to be more transparent and to respect clear boundaries between reputation-boosting honors and the hard-earned credentials that define professions.
For now, the EBK stands firm. They warn that more institutions may find themselves in the crosshairs if they don’t tidy up their practices. As for Sudi, there’s little indication he broke any rules himself — but the fallout illustrates just how tense things can get when prestige and legal protections collide.
darryl archer
June 8, 2025 AT 19:11The misuse of Eng. in an honorary diploma is plainly unacceptable.
Dina DiCicco
June 11, 2025 AT 02:44Such flagrant disregard for professional standards is an affront to Kenyan engineers 🚩🛠️. The Board’s decisive action sends a clear message that titles cannot be brandished without merit.
Kasey DellaPenna
June 13, 2025 AT 10:18We need to push universities to respect titles, it's about integrity the profession deserves.
Javier cox
June 15, 2025 AT 17:51Absolutely, Kasey, respecting the Eng. title protects both students and seasoned engineers-let's encourage the universitie to adopt stricter vetting processes.
Giacinta Pace
June 18, 2025 AT 01:24It’s great to see the Engineers Board standing up for standards; this can only strengthen public trust in engineering.
Gayleen Lowrie
June 20, 2025 AT 08:58Indeed, Giacinta, maintaining clear boundaries helps everyone, and we can all learn from this incident to promote ethical credentialing.
Wesley Nakamatsu
June 22, 2025 AT 16:31Kenya’s engineering heritage cannot be diluted by careless academic honors; the strict enforcement of the Eng. designation safeguards our national reputation and upholds the rigorous standards our engineers have long championed.
julia mutambara
June 25, 2025 AT 00:04I appreciate the Board’s vigilance in protecting the integrity of the engineering profession.
This incident serves as a valuable teaching moment for both academic institutions and aspiring engineers.
When a university bestows an honorary title that includes the protected Eng. designation, it unintentionally blurs the line between earned competence and symbolic recognition.
Clear communication about what an honorary degree represents can preserve the respect owed to those who have undergone rigorous training.
Moreover, students looking to enter the field benefit from a transparent system where professional titles are reserved for qualified individuals.
The public also gains confidence when they know that only properly registered engineers can claim the Eng. title.
Universities should establish internal review committees that include industry experts before awarding any honorific that incorporates regulated designations.
Such collaboration would prevent future misunderstandings and reinforce the partnership between academia and the professional community.
It is also an opportunity for mentors to guide young engineers in understanding the significance of professional credentials.
By highlighting the consequences of title misuse, we empower future engineers to uphold ethical standards.
I encourage all stakeholders to view this as a catalyst for positive change rather than merely a punitive episode.
Together we can create a culture where honorary recognitions celebrate contributions without compromising legal protections.
It is heartening to see the Board act decisively, demonstrating that no institution is above the law.
This decisive stance will likely inspire other professional bodies to examine their own policies.
Ultimately, safeguarding the Eng. title strengthens the overall quality and reputation of engineering in Kenya and beyond.
Let us all support the Board’s efforts and work collaboratively to ensure future honors are bestowed responsibly.