Cleophas Malala speaks out on fake degree reports
Kakamega’s senator Cleophas Malala has dismissed reports he has a fake university degree.
In an interview with Nyota TV, the vocal politician claims to have commenced his degree in 2006-2007 and graduated in 2010-2011.
He also admits to formally collecting the degree from the Nairobi based institution in 2019.
“I was admitted at the United States International University (USIU) to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Technology. It is during my graduation that I informed my family members of my intent to join politics,” explained the former Member of County Assembly.
Malala also clarified he was intially admitted to study law at the Moi University in Eldoret but was later transferred to Nairobi by his dad who thought his son was distracted by the ‘very many discos in Eldoret’.
“In 2004 I was at Moi University. The Joint Admission Board (JAB) admitted me as a law student. My father did not like my company in the university hence he transferred me to USIU where my siblings were studying at.”
Malala’s political opponents, led by Kakamega mogul Cleophas Shimanyula, have in recent times claim he failed in his High school and exams and thus doesn’t qualify to be elected governor.
The Kenyan laws indicate any aspiring governor should have atleast a University degree.
But the youthful politician, who was recently preferred by Deputy President William Ruto to vie for the Kakamega governor seat ahead of veteran Boni Khalwale, maintains he was a bright student and passed his Kenya Certificate Secondary Education (KCSE) with a B plain mean grade.
“In my Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) I was the third in Bungoma municipality. I was called to join Sunshine Secondary School but was expelled when I was in form two. I came to Friends School Kamusinga in 2002 first term,” he adds.
Malala is up against Ayub Savula and Ferdinand Barasa in the race to replace Wycliffe Oparanya whose term as Kakamega governor expires in August 2022.