PhD Graduation Lawsuit
Kenya Police Deputy Inspector General Sues USIU Over PhD Graduation Delay
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Key Points
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Masengeli enrolled in USIU-Africa’s five-year PhD programme in September 2021, and his coursework and examination results were approved by the university’s Board of Examiners in August 2023.
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He selected his dissertation topic during a seminar on January 18, 2024, and was assigned an internal supervisor before submitting his final proposal on May 30, 2025.
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After submitting his first dissertation draft on June 11, 2026, Masengeli made further amendments in response to comments from his supervisors.
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The petition says Masengeli obtained approval from USIU-Africa’s Institutional Review Board and proceeded with his research after completing the required proposal amendments.
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Masengeli says the next stage may involve a public defence, but the university has not told him whether any specific requirement remains before he can proceed.
Kenya's Deputy Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, has filed a High Court petition seeking an order to force United States International University-Africa to process his PhD dissertation and include him in the September 26, 2026 graduation ceremony TV47. Masengeli claims he has completed all required coursework, examinations, and dissertation revisions, with examiner reports submitted by August 31, but the university has not communicated his examination outcome or identified any remaining requirements.
Five Years of Study Leading to Dissertation Dispute
Masengeli enrolled in USIU-Africa's five-year PhD programme in September 2021 Nairobi Law Monthly. His coursework and examination results earned approval from the university's Board of Examiners in August 2023. He selected his dissertation topic on January 18, 2024, submitted his final proposal on May 30, 2025, and filed his first draft on June 11, 2026.
After submitting his initial draft, Masengeli made amendments based on supervisor feedback The Kenya Times. He obtained approval from USIU-Africa's Institutional Review Board and proceeded with research. However, the university has not clearly communicated whether a public defence or other requirements remain before graduation.
Masengeli Claims Unfair Treatment and Lack of Transparency
Through his lawyers Cecil Miller and Danstan Omari, Masengeli argues that USIU-Africa has violated his right to a fair, transparent, and timely academic process Nairobi Law Monthly. He says the university's failure to communicate examination outcomes or specify remaining steps has frustrated his legitimate expectation of graduation. The delay places his inclusion in the September ceremony at serious risk.
The petition does not detail specific reasons for the university's delay or what internal disputes may exist Citizen Digital. However, Masengeli's legal team contends that prolonged silence on a decision already made violates institutional governance standards and basic administrative fairness.
Court Petition Seeks Suspension of Graduation Ceremony
Masengeli has asked the High Court to suspend the September 26 graduation ceremony pending the hearing and determination of his case Nyakundi Report. The petition seeks an order compelling USIU-Africa to process his dissertation immediately and confirm his graduation status. The outcome could affect not only Masengeli's degree but also the university's handling of similar doctoral disputes.
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