Editor's Review

The court has delivered a ruling on a case challenging Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala's academic credentials.

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala can breathe a sigh of relief after the High Court in Kakamega dismissed a case challenging his academic credentials.

In a ruling on Thursday, June 23, the court stated that the case challenging Malala’s university degree lacked merit.

The ruling comes after Fred Muga, a resident of Kakamega County, moved to court to seek orders to compel the Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from clearing Malala to vie in the August general election.

The lawmaker is the Amani National Congress (ANC) candidate in the Kakamega County gubernatorial race in the upcoming polls.

{Cleophas Malala with Bungoma senator Moses Wetangula.}

The petitioner stated that Malala’s academic qualifications were questionable adding that the senator was not aware when he joined university and when he graduated.

“He is not aware himself when he joined the university. He is not also aware when he graduated. He’s also giving contradictory statements on when upon graduation when he received his certificate,” the petitioner told the press in early June.

However, Malala had previously taken to his social media pages to share copies of his KCSE and university certificates.

The lawmaker said that the certificates were duly certified and recognized by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

"The Commission for University Education (CUE) has duly certified and recognized my academic credentials and henceforth advised the IEBC to clear me to contest in the August 2022 gubernatorial election, Kakamega county. Those who cherish in propaganda, feel ashamed. Attached are the true copies of my academic accolades," he stated.