Moi University Disowns Fake Degree Linked to Eldoret City Board Chair
The Office of the Auditor-General, in a 2023 report, faulted the Eldoret Municipal Board under Kitur’s chairmanship for lacking financial and operational independence from the county government, contrary to the Urban Areas and Cities Act.
Moi University has disowned an academic certificate presented by Julius Kimeli Kitur, the newly appointed Chairman of the Eldoret City Board, confirming that the document is fake and was never issued by the institution.
In a letter dated October 22, 2025, and addressed to the Clerk of the Uasin Gishu County Assembly, the university—through the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics, Research, Extension and Student Affairs, Prof. P.R. Bartoo—stated that the certificate bearing serial number 263187 was not authentic.
“This is to confirm that the copy of the certificate for the above-named submitted for verification is not authentic and was not issued by Moi University,” Prof. Bartoo wrote. “Attached find a copy of the same marked not authentic for your necessary action.”
The letter, reference number MU/ARESA/EXAMS/26B, followed an official inquiry from the County Assembly after questions were raised about the authenticity of Kitur’s academic credentials.
Kitur, a close ally of Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Chelilim Bii, had been appointed last month by the Uasin Gishu County Public Service Board as Chairman of the Eldoret City Board. His appointment was, however, halted by the Eldoret Court after a petition alleged that he had presented forged academic documents.
The revelation from Moi University now casts a shadow on the Uasin Gishu County Public Service Board’s vetting process, raising concerns about its capacity to authenticate academic qualifications of individuals appointed to key public offices.
Kitur’s disputed certificate claimed that Moi University had awarded him a Bachelor of Business Management (Human Resource Management) degree in December 2017—a document now confirmed to be fake.
Before his controversial appointment to the Eldoret City Board, Julius Kitur had been a prominent figure in urban governance within Uasin Gishu County. He previously served as the Chairman of the Eldoret Municipal Board for nearly a decade, where he oversaw the town’s transition into city status. His leadership extended beyond the county, as he was also elected Chair of the Association of Urban Boards in Kenya, effectively becoming the national chairperson of all municipal board leaders in the country.
During his tenure, Kitur was credited with spearheading several urban development initiatives, including the rehabilitation of the Sosiani River, the revitalization of Eldoret Arboretum, and the push for Eldoret’s elevation to city status. In July 2025, Uasin Gishu County publicly celebrated his election as the “Chairman of Chairmen of Municipalities in Kenya,” recognizing his contribution to urban management and planning.
However, his leadership record has not been without controversy. The Office of the Auditor-General, in a 2023 report, faulted the Eldoret Municipal Board under Kitur’s chairmanship for lacking financial and operational independence from the county government, contrary to the Urban Areas and Cities Act. Despite these findings, Kitur maintained influence in county governance and was seen as a key player in Eldoret’s urban transformation agenda.
The new revelations from Moi University have therefore dealt a major blow to both Kitur’s public image and the integrity of the county’s appointment processes. The Uasin Gishu County Assembly is now expected to deliberate on the matter and recommend appropriate action based on the university’s confirmation.
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