Kenya may soon tighten the use of academic titles if calls by President William Ruto’s senior advisor, Prof. Makau Mutua, are heeded.
Mutua has urged Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba to follow Ethiopia’s example and ban holders of honorary doctorates from styling themselves as “Dr.”
Through a post on X, the outspoken lawyer argued that the measure would protect academic integrity and clearly distinguish earned doctorates from ceremonial awards.
“In July 2025, Ethiopia banned those with honorary doctorates from using the title ‘Dr.’ It also restricted how universities can confer such degrees,” Mutua wrote. “This safeguards academic integrity and draws a clear line between earned and honorary titles. Kenya must follow suit.”
If adopted, the policy would have sweeping consequences for several high-profile Kenyans who hold honorary doctorates from local and foreign universities.
Among them are Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi.
What are honorary degrees?
Unlike academic doctorates—which demand years of coursework, research, and examinations—honorary doctorates are conferred at the discretion of universities. They are typically awarded during graduation ceremonies to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society, leadership, philanthropy, or the arts.
Recipients are often invited to address graduates, with their speeches forming the highlight of the occasion.
Critics argue that the prestige of an honorary doctorate is undermined when recipients adopt the “Dr.” title without having undergone the rigorous academic journey it traditionally signifies.
“An honorary degree is recognition, not qualification,” one education expert told [publication name]. “Allowing holders to call themselves ‘Dr.’ confuses the public and devalues years of scholarly work.”
On the other hand, supporters of the status quo maintain that honorary doctorates carry symbolic weight and reflect the deep appreciation of universities for exceptional achievements outside academia.
If Kenya enforces Mutua’s proposal, it would mark a historic shift in how titles are recognized, potentially reshaping the cultural prestige attached to honorary awards.
For now, the debate remains open—pitched between tradition, recognition, and the integrity of Kenya’s higher education system.
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