The Commission for University Education (CUE) has cracked the whip on higher education fraud, releasing a black-and-white list of approved universities while redlighting 16 institutions it says are scamming Kenyans with fake degrees.

In a public notice that has sent panic through the education sector, the regulator warned parents and students that degrees from unaccredited colleges are "not worth the paper they are printed on." The move is part of a sweeping cleanup to restore the credibility of Kenyan higher education, which has been battered by the proliferation of " briefcase universities."

The Approved vs. The Outlawed

The commission confirmed that only 35 public universities and 31 private universities are legally chartered to operate in Kenya. The list includes established giants like the University of Nairobi and Strathmore, as well as newer specialized institutions like the National Defence University.

• The Blacklist: Among the 16 flagged institutions are the Eldoret Bible College, Grace Life Bible College, and the deceptively named "Africa Talent University." These entities are accused of offering degree programs without the requisite charter or letter of interim authority.
• The Consequence: CUE has stated that certificates from these illegal institutions will not be recognized for employment, promotion in the civil service, or further studies.
• The Loophole: Many of these colleges hide behind religious registration to offer theological degrees that they then market as academic qualifications, a practice CUE is now aggressively closing down.

A Buyer Beware Market

The updated 2026 list is a critical tool for thousands of Form Four leavers preparing to join university this year. With the cost of education skyrocketing, the tragedy of paying millions for a void degree is a reality for too many families. CUE’s message is simple: Check the list before you write the cheque.

For the 16 blacklisted colleges, the clock is ticking. They face immediate closure and prosecution, marking the end of the road for the merchants of fake academic dreams.