Nairobi Senator, Johnson Sakaja, engaged in a bitter spat with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss, George Kinoti, over his questionable degree.

In a statement on Friday, June 17, Sakaja accused Kinoti of using his office to intimidate and attempt to impose and influence the Nairobi gubernatorial race.

Sakaja dared the DCI boss to arrest him after the latter indicated that the Nairobi Senator was under investigation over an alleged forgery of a degree certificate from Team University in Uganda.

Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti addressing journalists at DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road on Thursday, March 5, 2020 KENYANS.CO.KE

Sakaja added that Kinoti was welcome to go and nab him at his office.

“Threats of arrest and persecution by the state will not intimidate us or change the will of the people of Nairobi. Our resolve remains firm,” Sakaja stated. 

“Bwana DCI Kinoti, I am at my Riverside office, welcome or let me know if you would like me to come over. Your office will not install a project on the people of Nairobi. My qualifications are legit and the relevant institutions have refused to play along with your games. Let the people decide."

His response came after the DCI implied that the senator and officials from Team University, where he claims to have earned a degree, are suspects in an international organised crime syndicate.

“We will not surrender our capital city to frauds. We will involve all international agencies in investigating and prosecuting anyone involved in academic fraud,” DCI Kinoti told Nation Africa.

Following the degree drama, Sakaja pointed an accusing finger at President Uhuru Kenyatta claiming that the Head of State was using his influence to frustrate his gubernatorial ambitions.

“The purported revocation of my credentials by the CUE Chairman is null and void, and politically instigated. The Chairman, Professor Chacha Nyaigotti Chacha, has been coerced and intimidated by President Uhuru Kenyatta to illegally revoke recognition of accreditation that has been properly issued,” the Nairobi Senator stated.

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja listens keenly at a past event. THE STANDARD

Sakaja told his supporters that the president influenced the revocation of the recognition of his certificate by the Commission for University Education (CUE). 

Although CUE approved Sakaja's papers from Team University, the Commission put a disclaimer indicating that they should not be held accountable for the authenticity of the certificate or the identity of its holder. 

The letter also indicated that the Commission retained the right to revoke recognition of the award if it established that it was ineligible for recognition. By Mumbi Mutuko, Kenyans.co.ke