An inquiry by Narok North Member of Parliament Moitalel Ole Kenta revealed the appointed Vice-Chancellor at Masai Mara University was vetted and approved by the council.
Through a question submitted to Parliament, Moitalel had asked Education CS George Magoha about circumstances that led to the appointment of the Acting VC, members of the council, and whether they met the requisite qualifications.
The institution appointed Professor Kitche Magak, a full-time professor to perform the role of Vice-Chancellor.
This is after former VC Mary Walingo was sent on substantive leave as she continues with the court process over alleged corruption charges.
Others were Simon Ole Seno, Almadi Abere, Biket Okumu and Hassan Noor.
The five were charged with misappropriation of funds and abuse of office at the Nakuru Law Courts on August 26, 2020.
What followed was an immediate search for the replacement of the former VC; the university council was left with three options which all failed.
The report clarifies that the first option was to replace Walingo with one of the Deputy VCs, Administration, Finance and planning, and Academic and Student Affairs.
However, both of them did not qualify for the position.
“The two DVCs have since been charged in a court of law for various corruption offences related to the “Mara Heist” allegations,” the report reads.
The second option was to appoint a principal from constituent colleges to replace the VC.
Since the university does not have any constituent college headed by principals, the idea was quashed.
“With this hiccup, the University Council proceeded to apply the next best option, which is to appoint a full professor to perform the functions of Vice-Chancellor,” the report reads.
At this point, the university council vetted three full-time professors, Nathan Oyaro, Adu Wasike, and Kitche Magak.
“The University Council assessed the three and settled on Professor Kitche Magak as the most suitable person to be appointed to the position of Ag. Vice-Chancellor,” the report reads.
Walingo and Seno were together charged with failing to comply with the applicable law and procedures of managing public funds.
The charges elaborate that they unlawfully authorized the expenditure of Sh70, 569,007 without supporting documents.
She was also separately accused of arbitrarily directing the unlawful expenditure of Sh176.1 million from different bank accounts.
Edited by D Tarus
