By Gikuyu Ntoogo
A section of Tharaka Nithi County leaders led by Senator Prof Kithure Kindiki and former governor, Samuel Ragwa have defended Chuka University Vice-Chancellor Erastus Njoka on allegations of owning fake academic certificates.
The leaders have dismissed the claims as a witch-hunt by the don’s political rivals aimed at ruining his reputation or even barring him from contesting for Tharaka Nithi County governorship in 2022 as announced.
Addressing journalists in Ndagani market, Mr Ragwa who has announced interest in the senatorial seat in 2022 said Prof Njoka’s academic history is well known by the locals and his contribution in the education sector in the large Meru region is immense.
“Prof Njoka has taught in various universities for the past over 30 years. I cannot understand why someone from the village claims that his documents are not correct” said Mr Ragwa.
However, he refused to disclose the politicians that he believes are behind the plot to ‘tarnish’ Prof Njoka’s reputation.
The former county boss however asked the county residents and especially the political supporters of Prof Njoka to remain patient and allow EACC to conclude its investigations.
“I am convinced that the VC will soon be given a clean bill of health,” he said.
Through his official Facebook account, Prof Kindiki wrote “Prof Njoka is an accomplished scholar and a successful university administrator who has done a great job in making Chuka University a premier institution and humiliating him through EACC investigations to allegedly establish the authenticity of his academic certificates is the most primitive, petty and malicious,”.
He noted that questioning the academic credentials of the VC demoralizes and shakes the confidence of thousands of students from all over Kenya who continue to graduate from Chuka University.
Prof Kindiki also questioned why EACC was not satisfied even after the Commission for Higher Education (CUE) reportedly written verifying as genuine the don’s certificates.
