With the promulgation of the new Constitution in 2010, creating new elective positions, Wanjiru set her eyes on becoming the first governor of Nairobi.
However, she quickly waded into trouble when questions about the legitimacy of her college degrees came up.
In 2013 the Commission for Higher Education rejected Wanjiru’s purported academic achievements citing the anomaly that (if her documents were to be believed) she got a PhD (in 2003) seven years before being conferred with an undergraduate degree (in 2010).
According to Wanjiru she received Doctor of Theology from Vineyard Harvester Bible College on July 13, 2003. Later in October 26, 2010, she would graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Leadership from United Graduate College and Seminary International.
Whether in heaven or on earth no one could attain a PhD before a bachelor’s degree.
But Wanjiru’s governorship dreams meant that she badly needed a degree that CHE could recognise.
In October 2014, Wanjiru finally graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in leadership and management from St Paul’s University, “a Kenyan university that is recognised,” she told the press.
“I think these kinds of pastors – and I use that word ‘pastor’ with lots of generosity – are on a selfish mission: to acquire social status,” Opiyo says.
For Wanjiru, shouting from a church pulpit was clearly not transitioning well into shouting from a political dais.
Meanwhile, other pastors continued to bask in the doctorate glory not of their own making. Some racked up titles; asking to be initialled as ‘Dr. Hon. Rev. Bishop EBS…’
