There are fears in Machakos county that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission led by Mumo Matemu has been compromised to look the other way as taxpayers’ money is diverted into individuals’ pockets in greed unparalleled anywhere in Kenya.
This comes in the wake of letters addressed to the commission by members of the public concerned that Governor Alfred Mutua might be overseeing the grandest theft of public money ever seen in the 47 counties so far. On the residents’ radar are the governor’s county executives, chief officers and senior procurement officers. Their bank accounts are also being monitored with some having questionable colossal amounts of money suspected to have been siphoned from public coffers .
Top on the list are the governor’s chief of staff Mwengi Mutuse, chief officer in charge of decentralised units Nimrod Mbai, county executive in charge of roads Kioko Luka who has been shuffled to lands portfolio in last week’s reshuffle and county engineer Morris Aluanga. The cartel is said to be behind fraudulent transactions and flouting tendering procedures in awarding contracts and suppliers for the county government. They have also been accused of employing ghost workers raising the county wage bill to Sh289 million a month a move that has seen the governor order the sacking of over 400 workers employed irregularly leading to protests last week.
At the centre of employment syndicate is one Musyoka Kala who was transferred from labour docket to education after it emerged that he ignored advice of the county public service board in employment were members of same families benefitted. In the reshuffle, Mutua according to a source threatened to sack the chief officer who wass saved by his mother who is a Wiper nominated rep in the assembly. The rep pleaded with the governor to save her son who had resigned from NSSF to join the county government. Fiscal analysts say the county is in financial crisis due to theft and dwindling local revenue collection with cash going to individuals’ pockets. The said cartel is allegedly bragging of getting protection from the governor himself whom they say cannot operate without them since they acted as his strategists in last general election.
The governor’s name has featured prominently in some of the deals where his name is invoked to raise the bargain and scare contractors to give huge kickbacks.
According to an insider in Mutua’s office the former government spokesman acquired properties valued Sh237 million in his first year in office. It is alleged on March 12 2014 the governor sealed a deal to purchase a four-star hotel situated in the beach front of Watamu in Malindi. The deal cost a whopping Sh145 million barely one year in office. The deal has brought to focus the Maendeleo Chap Chap slogan with many saying it is a gimmick to hoodwink the already gullible citizens of Machakos county while at the same time condoning theft perpetrated by outsiders. The right slogan, they say, is kujitajirisha chap chap. It is said that Mutua has investments worth Sh1.6 billion ever since he became governor.
Mwengi Mutuse comes from Makueni county where he is currently putting up a five-star hotel going by the name Savannah Paradise Hotel opening this December. It has 200 rooms with a presidential suite going for Sh75,000 a night. The luxurious hotel which has attracted the eyes of anti-graft sleuths is located in Makindu along Mombasa road. Mwengi is also said to have bought a home at Green Park Estate in Athi River and another house at Highrise Estate on the way to Kajiado from Kitengela. In May, a bank advised Mwengi against depositing huge amounts of money in one account. Mwengi reportedly deposited over Sh400m in less than four months which raised eyebrows. Those who know Mwengi say he is preparing to contest Kibwezi West parliamentary seat come 2017 and he is not bothered whether Machakos county people get services or not. He was the same person used by the governor to pay reps each Sh300,000 to impeach his deputy Bernard Kiala three months ago. Mwengi’s wife is the procurement officer at department of decentralised units where Nimrod Mbai is the chief officer. His brother Ngeto Mutuse is the revenue officer in Mavoko subcounty where revenue has drastically droped with claims that much is banked in personal accounts which later lands in his brother’s hands.
Mbai a former Mutua bodyguard in his days as a spokesman is also swimming in money. In his 18 months in office, Mbai has bought four villas in Kitengela, a 150-acre ranch in Nzombe, Kitui county where he comes from and is putting a big hotel in Kitui town, the first of its kind. Mbai once told his confidante that he has made enough to last him for life. He is preparing to contest Kitui governorship. That the man is in big money is seen in the branded balls used in his football tournaments.
He is seen every weekend in Kitui where he has rolled up a massive youth campaign programme across the county sponsoring 12 football teams and paying each Sh10,000 monthly allowance. For the last six months Mbai has contacted over 15 harambees allegedly contributing over Sh500,000 each. Where a man who was a struggling Administration Police gets the cash remains a mystery since his county salary is Sh230,000 per month. Luka who has been transferred to lands docket is also on the spot for colluding with Aluanga to oversee construction of Machakos Stadium where shoddy work was done. Despite pocketing huge bribes and kickbacks from contractors who have so far complained of intimidation and blackmail from the engineer in cahoots with the former roads county executive, no action has been taken against him.
Kenya's Most Authoritative Political Newspaper
Sunday, 30 November 2014
MEDIC LEAVE SIAYA HEALTH CENTRES IN DROVES FOR GREEN PASTURES
Siaya county referral and subcounty hospitals has been having mass exodus of doctors, nurses and proper health staffs.
About 14 doctors and nurses in both referral and subcounty hospitals have been paving way to greener pastures leading to rapid loss of lives in the county.
The latest doctor to leave the Siaya Referral was the medical superintendent and the only gynecologist Jacktone Omoto who left the facility with no specialist.
Sources revealed that Ambira Sub County Hospital has been grounded without any specialist to attend to the patients.
In Gem, Lianda Dispensary was closed for four days after the in charge went for leave.
However according to chair of the implementation committee in the county assembly of Siaya Leonard Oriaro who tabled a motion before the county assembly to seek clarification from the health committee pertaining the state of hospitals, the county government should shoulder the problems in the health facilities.
Oriaro said Siaya county government was to employ 134 doctors in the last financial year 2013/14 whereby the national government factored in funds worth Sh108 million but nothing has been done and instead health officers are leaving.
A letter dated October 18 2013 from the ministry of Health signed by cabinet secretary of Health James Macharia and copied to all governors and public secretary service commission in all the 47 counties revealed that the government had allocated Sh3.754 billion to recruit 6355 health workers.
The letter showed the number of specialist per county and their job groups whereby 85 nursing officers were to be recruited, 21 clinical officers, seven medical laboratories, three pharmaceutical technologist, three nutritionists, three health records and information officers, two occupational therapists, one orthopaedic technologist. two physiotherapists, three radiographers, dental technologists, one medical social workers and one medical engineering technologist.
The members of the county assembly Siaya led by deputy chief whip Booker Minami said that none of the officers has been employed since the letter was issued two days after Governor Cornel Rasanga was re-elected as the governor.
Booker told out Rasanga, Cabinet executive committee member of health Edward Owila and chief officer Jalang’o Midiwo to come out and tell Kenyans how they used Sh108m that was allocated for health in last financial year.
“In Siaya county we were to employ 134 health officers and no one has been employed hence governor and his team should tell us how they spend the money allocated for health,” said Booker.
County director of health Omondi Owino blamed the politicians for the constant bashing of health workers in the hospitals saying that it is the reason as to why the doctors have been leaving.
“The constant bashing of the medical officers by the politicians is derailing our progress,” said Omondi.
About 14 doctors and nurses in both referral and subcounty hospitals have been paving way to greener pastures leading to rapid loss of lives in the county.
The latest doctor to leave the Siaya Referral was the medical superintendent and the only gynecologist Jacktone Omoto who left the facility with no specialist.
Sources revealed that Ambira Sub County Hospital has been grounded without any specialist to attend to the patients.
In Gem, Lianda Dispensary was closed for four days after the in charge went for leave.
However according to chair of the implementation committee in the county assembly of Siaya Leonard Oriaro who tabled a motion before the county assembly to seek clarification from the health committee pertaining the state of hospitals, the county government should shoulder the problems in the health facilities.
Oriaro said Siaya county government was to employ 134 doctors in the last financial year 2013/14 whereby the national government factored in funds worth Sh108 million but nothing has been done and instead health officers are leaving.
A letter dated October 18 2013 from the ministry of Health signed by cabinet secretary of Health James Macharia and copied to all governors and public secretary service commission in all the 47 counties revealed that the government had allocated Sh3.754 billion to recruit 6355 health workers.
The letter showed the number of specialist per county and their job groups whereby 85 nursing officers were to be recruited, 21 clinical officers, seven medical laboratories, three pharmaceutical technologist, three nutritionists, three health records and information officers, two occupational therapists, one orthopaedic technologist. two physiotherapists, three radiographers, dental technologists, one medical social workers and one medical engineering technologist.
The members of the county assembly Siaya led by deputy chief whip Booker Minami said that none of the officers has been employed since the letter was issued two days after Governor Cornel Rasanga was re-elected as the governor.
Booker told out Rasanga, Cabinet executive committee member of health Edward Owila and chief officer Jalang’o Midiwo to come out and tell Kenyans how they used Sh108m that was allocated for health in last financial year.
“In Siaya county we were to employ 134 health officers and no one has been employed hence governor and his team should tell us how they spend the money allocated for health,” said Booker.
County director of health Omondi Owino blamed the politicians for the constant bashing of health workers in the hospitals saying that it is the reason as to why the doctors have been leaving.
“The constant bashing of the medical officers by the politicians is derailing our progress,” said Omondi.
AIR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT AN ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENED ALREADY
On November 14 2014 a Kenyan registered aircraft crashed in Panyagor, South Sudan killing two Kenyan pilots. An engineer on board sustained serious injuries.
In April 2014 the same aircraft suffered a non-fatal incident on touchdown at Wilson Airport, Nairobi when carrying out an airworthiness check flight.
On February 17 2014 another Kenyan registered aircraft crashed in Rubkona Airfield, South Sudan killing one. Three others sustained serious injuries. Both aircrafts were operated by Global Airlift.
In accordance with the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organisation which Kenya is a signatory, the Annex 13 states that investigations into the probable cause of the first and third occurrences fall under the state of occurrence in this case South Sudan; however, by the virtue of Kenya being the state of registry of these aircraft it is expected to play an active role in the investigations. Investigation of the third occurrence (classified by Icao as a serious incident) falls under Kenya.
Sometime in August 2012, a commercial aircraft crashed in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve killing four, two Kenyans and two Germans. Todate this occurrence is yet to be investigated.
In February 2013, a light aircraft crashed on Mt Kenya killing a pilot and a researcher. This is yet to be investigated. No air accident investigation personnel visited the accident site and the wreckage is still at the accident site.
In July 2013, a commercial aircraft crashed on the Aberdare Ranges killing the famous aviator Harro Trempenou and three passengers. The wreckage is still at the accident site and no investigation have been done.
In March 2014, a Kenyan pilot died in Kijipwa while on a maiden flight test of an aircraft imported from Israel. This accident is yet to be investigated.
In October 2013, a student pilot and his instructor died when their aircraft crashed inside Nairobi National Park. No investigation has been conducted and so no report released yet.
Sometimes in 2013 an aircraft crashed in Rea Vipingo area of Kilifi killing its sole occupant, an Italian pilot. No investigation has been conducted.
In Kenya, it is the mandate of the Air Accident Investigation Department to investigate all accidents and serious incidents involving all civil registered aircraft that may occur within our borders and outside Kenya but involving Kenyan registered aircraft. The person in charge of Aaid is the chief inspector of Aircraft Accidents, Martyne Lunani. His is a delegated authority by the cabinet secretary, of Transport and Infrastructure. The chief doubles up as the director of Aaid. In the process of investigating accidents the department is supposed to come up with findings and safety recommendations in form of reports as prescribed in Icao format. This is supposed to be shared with the aviation regulator, air operators and the public in general. The department is also supposed to run an accident prevention programme.
In a period of at least two and a half years, there have been tens of other aircraft accidents and serious incidents without fatalities in Kenya and outside Kenya but involving Kenyan registered aircraft. To date no reports whatsoever have been released to the public. Instead, the current director of Aaid is busy globe-trotting on taxpayers’ money at the expense of bereaved families who need closure as far as their loved ones died in these accidents. His social background when in foreign capitals is also the talk in the aviation industry with female air hostesses falling in his sex tricks. As many bereaved families will attest, the director lacks a human heart when dealing with them. Delays in responding to aircraft accidents by the air accident investigators are uncalled for and man made. As operators whose aircraft may have been involved in accidents count losses the director is busy with a calculator trying to see what is in for him in this or that accident.
This director lacks knowledge, technical expertise, skills and experience to head such a highly specialised, sensitive department. To cover up for his glaring shortfalls he has turned to being the most conniving, ruthless public servant whose cavalier attitude continually lead PS Nduva Muli astray. By and large the PS and CS Michael Kamau has failed to perform their oversight role on this staff under them. The director is well known for “responding” to accidents but does not get to the accident sites, comes back to Nairobi empty handed with no reports and then sends investigators to the same accident sites to do the actual work.
The director, who is also a pilot of a single engine piston propelled light C206 aircraft and keeps on insisting on being called Captain runs two jobs. One as a civil servant and another one as a pilot hired for money. This is against the civil servants code of regulations. There is a very huge difference in his current total flying hours and hours as at January 2010 when he was hired as an air accident investigator by the Aaid. Never mind that you need minimal/minimum flying hours, around 10 to keep your flying licence current.
The ‘’captain’’ runs this small but pivotal department in aviation safety as a personal outfit. Air accident investigators working under him are unable to perform official duties effectively due to victimisation, intimidation, harassment, absolute lack of career progression, hostile environment, and outright denial of individual training opportunities despite availability of funds from development partners, the World Bank. One of his hobbies is keep the human resource department of the ministry busy in ensuring that threatening letters are sent to all staff working under him at all times. The director has PS Nduva’s ears and genuine complaints raised by the investigators have been met by curtness, inconsiderate blanket dismissal. Efforts made by the investigators to air their grievances with CS Kamau are always thwarted by their determined director.
In May 2012, the World Bank through the ministry sponsored him to attend the six weeks aircraft accident investigation course at the Cranfield University, UK. Two months later, he became the director of Aaid. As an investigator he never visited accident sites and so never wrote accident investigation reports. He was always absent from office attending Moi University Emba classes without permission from his employer. Since he became the director, he has never visited an accident site and has never written a report. In short the man does not know how to write one. He is a lame duck.
To cover up his shortcomings, he has reportedly resulted in requesting the PS to hire consultants who will be able to deal with the backlog of reports. This is not necessary. It is a way of looking for kickbacks from the dealings with consultants, it is said. The Jubilee government is against unnecessary hiring of consultants and instead insists on empowering existing staff working.
The director, it is said, is always against investigators working under him attending the same course he attended at Cranfield. Every effort is met with brunt force. His is to ensure that they receive mediocre training, more so from briefcase trainers, which will never rival his, it is claimed. This has led to lack of training in the department. Instead of pestering the World Bank to buy two 4x4 vehicles for the department, the director should be busy seeking funds from the same institution for training his staff, staff feel.
The director is overheard in the corridors of the ministry bragging of how he must travel outside Kenya to accompany investigators to do their work while he does personal shopping.
It is in the business of the director to seize reports done by investigators in time to present them to the PS and CS as his own without acknowledging the authors.
In April 2014 the same aircraft suffered a non-fatal incident on touchdown at Wilson Airport, Nairobi when carrying out an airworthiness check flight.
On February 17 2014 another Kenyan registered aircraft crashed in Rubkona Airfield, South Sudan killing one. Three others sustained serious injuries. Both aircrafts were operated by Global Airlift.
In accordance with the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organisation which Kenya is a signatory, the Annex 13 states that investigations into the probable cause of the first and third occurrences fall under the state of occurrence in this case South Sudan; however, by the virtue of Kenya being the state of registry of these aircraft it is expected to play an active role in the investigations. Investigation of the third occurrence (classified by Icao as a serious incident) falls under Kenya.
Sometime in August 2012, a commercial aircraft crashed in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve killing four, two Kenyans and two Germans. Todate this occurrence is yet to be investigated.
In February 2013, a light aircraft crashed on Mt Kenya killing a pilot and a researcher. This is yet to be investigated. No air accident investigation personnel visited the accident site and the wreckage is still at the accident site.
In July 2013, a commercial aircraft crashed on the Aberdare Ranges killing the famous aviator Harro Trempenou and three passengers. The wreckage is still at the accident site and no investigation have been done.
In March 2014, a Kenyan pilot died in Kijipwa while on a maiden flight test of an aircraft imported from Israel. This accident is yet to be investigated.
In October 2013, a student pilot and his instructor died when their aircraft crashed inside Nairobi National Park. No investigation has been conducted and so no report released yet.
Sometimes in 2013 an aircraft crashed in Rea Vipingo area of Kilifi killing its sole occupant, an Italian pilot. No investigation has been conducted.
In Kenya, it is the mandate of the Air Accident Investigation Department to investigate all accidents and serious incidents involving all civil registered aircraft that may occur within our borders and outside Kenya but involving Kenyan registered aircraft. The person in charge of Aaid is the chief inspector of Aircraft Accidents, Martyne Lunani. His is a delegated authority by the cabinet secretary, of Transport and Infrastructure. The chief doubles up as the director of Aaid. In the process of investigating accidents the department is supposed to come up with findings and safety recommendations in form of reports as prescribed in Icao format. This is supposed to be shared with the aviation regulator, air operators and the public in general. The department is also supposed to run an accident prevention programme.
In a period of at least two and a half years, there have been tens of other aircraft accidents and serious incidents without fatalities in Kenya and outside Kenya but involving Kenyan registered aircraft. To date no reports whatsoever have been released to the public. Instead, the current director of Aaid is busy globe-trotting on taxpayers’ money at the expense of bereaved families who need closure as far as their loved ones died in these accidents. His social background when in foreign capitals is also the talk in the aviation industry with female air hostesses falling in his sex tricks. As many bereaved families will attest, the director lacks a human heart when dealing with them. Delays in responding to aircraft accidents by the air accident investigators are uncalled for and man made. As operators whose aircraft may have been involved in accidents count losses the director is busy with a calculator trying to see what is in for him in this or that accident.
This director lacks knowledge, technical expertise, skills and experience to head such a highly specialised, sensitive department. To cover up for his glaring shortfalls he has turned to being the most conniving, ruthless public servant whose cavalier attitude continually lead PS Nduva Muli astray. By and large the PS and CS Michael Kamau has failed to perform their oversight role on this staff under them. The director is well known for “responding” to accidents but does not get to the accident sites, comes back to Nairobi empty handed with no reports and then sends investigators to the same accident sites to do the actual work.
The director, who is also a pilot of a single engine piston propelled light C206 aircraft and keeps on insisting on being called Captain runs two jobs. One as a civil servant and another one as a pilot hired for money. This is against the civil servants code of regulations. There is a very huge difference in his current total flying hours and hours as at January 2010 when he was hired as an air accident investigator by the Aaid. Never mind that you need minimal/minimum flying hours, around 10 to keep your flying licence current.
The ‘’captain’’ runs this small but pivotal department in aviation safety as a personal outfit. Air accident investigators working under him are unable to perform official duties effectively due to victimisation, intimidation, harassment, absolute lack of career progression, hostile environment, and outright denial of individual training opportunities despite availability of funds from development partners, the World Bank. One of his hobbies is keep the human resource department of the ministry busy in ensuring that threatening letters are sent to all staff working under him at all times. The director has PS Nduva’s ears and genuine complaints raised by the investigators have been met by curtness, inconsiderate blanket dismissal. Efforts made by the investigators to air their grievances with CS Kamau are always thwarted by their determined director.
In May 2012, the World Bank through the ministry sponsored him to attend the six weeks aircraft accident investigation course at the Cranfield University, UK. Two months later, he became the director of Aaid. As an investigator he never visited accident sites and so never wrote accident investigation reports. He was always absent from office attending Moi University Emba classes without permission from his employer. Since he became the director, he has never visited an accident site and has never written a report. In short the man does not know how to write one. He is a lame duck.
To cover up his shortcomings, he has reportedly resulted in requesting the PS to hire consultants who will be able to deal with the backlog of reports. This is not necessary. It is a way of looking for kickbacks from the dealings with consultants, it is said. The Jubilee government is against unnecessary hiring of consultants and instead insists on empowering existing staff working.
The director, it is said, is always against investigators working under him attending the same course he attended at Cranfield. Every effort is met with brunt force. His is to ensure that they receive mediocre training, more so from briefcase trainers, which will never rival his, it is claimed. This has led to lack of training in the department. Instead of pestering the World Bank to buy two 4x4 vehicles for the department, the director should be busy seeking funds from the same institution for training his staff, staff feel.
The director is overheard in the corridors of the ministry bragging of how he must travel outside Kenya to accompany investigators to do their work while he does personal shopping.
It is in the business of the director to seize reports done by investigators in time to present them to the PS and CS as his own without acknowledging the authors.
NAKURU KNUT OFFICE LAND NOW IN GRABBER'S DIRTY HANDS
Nakuru Kanu branch office has been acquired by an individual who is alleged to have grabbed it.
According to the rather dormant political party branch trustees, the building and land housing its Njoro branch office was reportedly fenced off recently by a private developer who wants to turn it into a commercial building.
Kanu is set to lose the land located at Bondeni in the Njoro which is about 15km from Nakuru town.
Recently at Nakuru town, the party’s branch trustees led by its former chairman Wilson Leitich cried foul saying there was no decision reached to dispose it off.
Saying they planned to spearhead efforts to reclaim the land valued of over Sh2 million, the trustees asked the party’s patron former president Daniel arap Moi to intervene.
Leitich said they do not know who grabbed it but were consulting former Njoro Kanu subbranch chairman Fred Muhando to get details on what transpired to the property which hosted the Njoro area Kanu office.
As we went to press last week, a team led by former Nakuru regional Kanu youth leader William Wafula was scheduled to visit as part of efforts to rescue the ex-ruling party’s asset.
According to the rather dormant political party branch trustees, the building and land housing its Njoro branch office was reportedly fenced off recently by a private developer who wants to turn it into a commercial building.
Kanu is set to lose the land located at Bondeni in the Njoro which is about 15km from Nakuru town.
Recently at Nakuru town, the party’s branch trustees led by its former chairman Wilson Leitich cried foul saying there was no decision reached to dispose it off.
Saying they planned to spearhead efforts to reclaim the land valued of over Sh2 million, the trustees asked the party’s patron former president Daniel arap Moi to intervene.
Leitich said they do not know who grabbed it but were consulting former Njoro Kanu subbranch chairman Fred Muhando to get details on what transpired to the property which hosted the Njoro area Kanu office.
As we went to press last week, a team led by former Nakuru regional Kanu youth leader William Wafula was scheduled to visit as part of efforts to rescue the ex-ruling party’s asset.
SENATOR PROMISES TO GET TO BOTTOM OF SH600 HEALTH GRANT
Nakuru county senator has urged county residents to be calm over alleged misappropriation of money meant for its referral hospital pending his office’s ongoing investigations.
James Mungai said his efforts to get proper facts over alleged misuse of over Sh600 million earmarked for the Rift Valley General Hospital were futile forcing him to start private investigation on the complaints.
“I wish the complainants would have sought relevant facts before going public because that is huge amount that if put into proper use can improve the county folks’ lives greatly. As a senator of Nakuru county I have launched my own investigations on this matter and very soon will come out with the true scenario of the issue,” he said.
Mungai was responding to a claim by two Nakuru county legislators that the money was misappropriated yet it was earmarked for building a maternity and buy equipment for the Level 5 Rift Valley Provincial Hospital.
Senator Mungai disclosed that according to reports, the money was a conditional grant sent by the government to cushion county governments offering medical services to patients from other counties for using their Level 5 hospitals.
“But I’m yet to know whether proper procedures were followed in using the money as every grant should be used as per the granter’s conditions and in this case the granter was the government,” he added.
Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama, his Bahati counterpart Kimani Ngunjiri and medics in the hospital had accused the county government of alleged misappropriation of over Sh500m out of the total Sh600 million earmarked for the new maternity and purchase of health equipment.
The money totaling Sh600m was transferred early this year from the Treasury and was meant for construction of an ultra-modern maternity that was to cost Sh300m at the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital.
The other Sh 300m was to buy equipment to upgrade the medical facilities.
Our impeccable sources divulged that Ngunjiri, Arama and some Nakuru county MCAs led by former county majority leader Mwaura Njenga held a consultative meeting at a Nakuru hotel where according to the source they made plans to sue those implicated.
Other MCAs present were Catherine Njeri (nominated), Steve Kihara (Dundori) and Francis Njoroge of London Ward.
However, Nakuru Town east MP David Gikaria has distanced himself from the issue which recently threatened to initiate a recall process against Governor Kinuthia Mbugua for ‘condoning corruption and impunity’.
James Mungai said his efforts to get proper facts over alleged misuse of over Sh600 million earmarked for the Rift Valley General Hospital were futile forcing him to start private investigation on the complaints.
“I wish the complainants would have sought relevant facts before going public because that is huge amount that if put into proper use can improve the county folks’ lives greatly. As a senator of Nakuru county I have launched my own investigations on this matter and very soon will come out with the true scenario of the issue,” he said.
Mungai was responding to a claim by two Nakuru county legislators that the money was misappropriated yet it was earmarked for building a maternity and buy equipment for the Level 5 Rift Valley Provincial Hospital.
Senator Mungai disclosed that according to reports, the money was a conditional grant sent by the government to cushion county governments offering medical services to patients from other counties for using their Level 5 hospitals.
“But I’m yet to know whether proper procedures were followed in using the money as every grant should be used as per the granter’s conditions and in this case the granter was the government,” he added.
Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama, his Bahati counterpart Kimani Ngunjiri and medics in the hospital had accused the county government of alleged misappropriation of over Sh500m out of the total Sh600 million earmarked for the new maternity and purchase of health equipment.
The money totaling Sh600m was transferred early this year from the Treasury and was meant for construction of an ultra-modern maternity that was to cost Sh300m at the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital.
The other Sh 300m was to buy equipment to upgrade the medical facilities.
Our impeccable sources divulged that Ngunjiri, Arama and some Nakuru county MCAs led by former county majority leader Mwaura Njenga held a consultative meeting at a Nakuru hotel where according to the source they made plans to sue those implicated.
Other MCAs present were Catherine Njeri (nominated), Steve Kihara (Dundori) and Francis Njoroge of London Ward.
However, Nakuru Town east MP David Gikaria has distanced himself from the issue which recently threatened to initiate a recall process against Governor Kinuthia Mbugua for ‘condoning corruption and impunity’.
MANDERA TEACHERS DIFFER WITH SOSSION ON QUIT DIRECTIVE
Mandera Knut has condemned last week’s massacre of 28 passengers aboard a Mandera-Nairobi bound bus that was executed by al Shabaab.
The attackers allegedly separated non-Muslim passengers before leading them outside where they were shot at close range. At the end, 19 men and nine women were cruelly executed by bullets directed at their heads. Out of those executed 22 were teachers with others in security and health departments headed to their homes for holiday.
The local Knut leadership dismissed calls by its top national leadership to teacher to leave the area noting that could be a win to the militias.
Led by the executive secretary Kullow Sheikh and his deputy Ali Abdi Hussein, they called upon the national government to provide enough security to the area and residents since they mostly depend on manpower from other areas.
Hussein condemned strongly the heinous act by the militia on innocent Kenyans in a Nairobi bound bus just 50km from Mandera town. He condoled with the bereaved families over loss and urged the government to scale up its security in the area to save lives from such attacks.
Hussein who is also Knut’s NEC member from the region said the government needs to give the dead state burial since they died in line of duty and equal compensation to bereaved families. He told secretary general Wilson Sossion to visit the area and experience the life there instead of issuing unnecessary ultimatums from their posh Nairobi environs.
He urged Knut to pursue for the implementation of medical scheme to help its members in case of such issue to cater for life insurance for teachers and other public servants. He said that despite the area being a hardship area, the TSC had removed travel allowance.
The attackers allegedly separated non-Muslim passengers before leading them outside where they were shot at close range. At the end, 19 men and nine women were cruelly executed by bullets directed at their heads. Out of those executed 22 were teachers with others in security and health departments headed to their homes for holiday.
The local Knut leadership dismissed calls by its top national leadership to teacher to leave the area noting that could be a win to the militias.
Led by the executive secretary Kullow Sheikh and his deputy Ali Abdi Hussein, they called upon the national government to provide enough security to the area and residents since they mostly depend on manpower from other areas.
Hussein condemned strongly the heinous act by the militia on innocent Kenyans in a Nairobi bound bus just 50km from Mandera town. He condoled with the bereaved families over loss and urged the government to scale up its security in the area to save lives from such attacks.
Hussein who is also Knut’s NEC member from the region said the government needs to give the dead state burial since they died in line of duty and equal compensation to bereaved families. He told secretary general Wilson Sossion to visit the area and experience the life there instead of issuing unnecessary ultimatums from their posh Nairobi environs.
He urged Knut to pursue for the implementation of medical scheme to help its members in case of such issue to cater for life insurance for teachers and other public servants. He said that despite the area being a hardship area, the TSC had removed travel allowance.
HEADS' BOSS MEETS STIFF RESISTANCE WINDS
A Kenya Secondary School Heads Association branch chairman from Kakamega county is under siege after heads vowed to remove him from the position over his negligence in delivery of service.
Kenneth Indusia the Kakamega North district heads association chair and principal of Shandiche Secondary has been accused of siding with the education office and politicians to frustrate heads who do not toe their line.
Indusia who hails from the neighbouring Lugari district took over the mantle from Moses Wadongo after he failed to deliver as per the manifesto.
In the memorandum of understanding that was signed between him and the teachers, it was agreed that Indusia ensures promotions of more deputies to become heads, regulates importation of heads, and oversees educational office functions in the area, protects the heads from political interference among other issues within his jurisdiction a task he has completely overlooked.
However in what is being seen as tasting a dose of his own medicine, the chair may soon leave unceremoniously like his predecessor if the current happenings in the teaching fraternity is anything to go by.
Known to drive sleek cars since he assumed power, Indusia is currently said to be busy oiling the pockets of a section of the heads so that they can pull out from the heated campaign of a call for a special AGM in which he will be shown the door.
In the AGM the heads are set to lay bare a list of the undoing to the man who is not ready to leave the much coveted heads’ position.
Top on the list is his move to promote his wife barely three months as a deputy to become a head of a school in Lugari against the regulations which requires that one serves for more than three years before being promoted.
As Indusia was busy promoting his sweetheart, deputies from the region who had served for more than six years were no longer at ease with his move and bitterly criticised his actions.
Among the teachers who have served long as deputies and there promotions is not forthcoming include Tande, Mahira, Malava Boys, Matsakha and Tombo secondary schools.
He technically avoids talking of the good results in the schools as posted and only talks of Malava Boys which we established is headed by a member of his head committee Daniel Mwachi.
He has been colluding with politicians to stage war on teachers whom he has been referring to as politically incorrect and also not left behind are those who may appear to oppose the education office directives.
He also accused of dancing to the tunes of politicians hellbent on soliciting for funds so as to fund his campaigns in the next elections.
Indusia has declared interest in the Chekalini ward representation under the Kakamega county leader of minority Titus Kwoma and he has been presiding over fundsdrives against the education regulations.
Top on the list of his political friends is Malava MP Malulu Injendi whom it is said is lying that he will marshal all the heads to line behind him come 2017 politics.
He is also said to be befriending the Lugari MP Ayub Savula so that he can assist him take the Chekalini seat.
Kenneth Indusia the Kakamega North district heads association chair and principal of Shandiche Secondary has been accused of siding with the education office and politicians to frustrate heads who do not toe their line.
Indusia who hails from the neighbouring Lugari district took over the mantle from Moses Wadongo after he failed to deliver as per the manifesto.
In the memorandum of understanding that was signed between him and the teachers, it was agreed that Indusia ensures promotions of more deputies to become heads, regulates importation of heads, and oversees educational office functions in the area, protects the heads from political interference among other issues within his jurisdiction a task he has completely overlooked.
However in what is being seen as tasting a dose of his own medicine, the chair may soon leave unceremoniously like his predecessor if the current happenings in the teaching fraternity is anything to go by.
Known to drive sleek cars since he assumed power, Indusia is currently said to be busy oiling the pockets of a section of the heads so that they can pull out from the heated campaign of a call for a special AGM in which he will be shown the door.
In the AGM the heads are set to lay bare a list of the undoing to the man who is not ready to leave the much coveted heads’ position.
Top on the list is his move to promote his wife barely three months as a deputy to become a head of a school in Lugari against the regulations which requires that one serves for more than three years before being promoted.
As Indusia was busy promoting his sweetheart, deputies from the region who had served for more than six years were no longer at ease with his move and bitterly criticised his actions.
Among the teachers who have served long as deputies and there promotions is not forthcoming include Tande, Mahira, Malava Boys, Matsakha and Tombo secondary schools.
He technically avoids talking of the good results in the schools as posted and only talks of Malava Boys which we established is headed by a member of his head committee Daniel Mwachi.
He has been colluding with politicians to stage war on teachers whom he has been referring to as politically incorrect and also not left behind are those who may appear to oppose the education office directives.
He also accused of dancing to the tunes of politicians hellbent on soliciting for funds so as to fund his campaigns in the next elections.
Indusia has declared interest in the Chekalini ward representation under the Kakamega county leader of minority Titus Kwoma and he has been presiding over fundsdrives against the education regulations.
Top on the list of his political friends is Malava MP Malulu Injendi whom it is said is lying that he will marshal all the heads to line behind him come 2017 politics.
He is also said to be befriending the Lugari MP Ayub Savula so that he can assist him take the Chekalini seat.
NOT ALL WELL AT MULTI-MEDIA UNIVERSITY
There is are claims that tribalism has become the criteria of promotion at Multi-Media University.
Starting from the top, the chancellor is Mrs Kimura-a Meru, vice chancellor, Prof Kaberth a Meru, DVC finance Prof Maranga, a Kikuyu, Prof Mbatia DVC academics, a Kikuyu, Mr Nderitu a Kikuyu is the finance officer, Esther acting auditor – a Kisii, Oboch acting registrar administration, a Luo.
All staff in accounts and human resource are controlled by Kikuyus with corporate headed by Mugambi a Meru. Hotel head is Esther a Kikuyu, printing headed by Rutho a Kikuyu, estates headed by Kanyoni a Kikuyu, hostels headed by Muolia a Kamba, Town campus headed by Mwihaki a Kikuyu.
One year down the line nothing seem to move and the musical chairs are the same, it is said.
The only visible sign is the two plaques encoded with the chancellor’s name for ground breaking.
Everybody rejoiced at the change of guard after Prof Oyaria left. Calm has come after the exit of Prof Naituli who was appointed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that seems dead also. Those who left behind are planning transfers or are dead silent.
As for tenders, all are awarded to a clique of Mt Kenyans led by one Murubi and David Ikiau a procurement officer who owns a mansion at Rongai. The man has been in procurement for over 20 years and seems the reason things are not moving. The borehole tender was awarded to his crony a one Kanyoni who is the estates manager. Kanyoni enjoys a rapport with the VC despite cries from other staff who have a feeling he should not double as an estates officer and a trade unionist chairman. He recently gave a warning letter to his deputy and almost sacked him. Many employees are suffering and living in fear of being sacked. The same Kanyoni at one time was accused of inflating borehole prices and had them dug at exhorbitant prices. Prof Naituli had him removed and the cases have since gone dead.
On the issue of discipline, it is claimed, laws are discriminately applied. A transport officer was found culpubable for having embezzled fuel funds, and spareparts, but the deputy VC finance ordered the security agents to drop the case. There are questions as to where the university bus and salon car are. At the same time when other employees are caught with minor offences the DVC sends them come immediately, it is said.
Appointment to tender committee is tribal and a boardroom issue. The same faces who are responsible for stalling projects in the university are time and again the same in tender committee raising the question how the security chief and legal officer can be on evaluation committees yet they should investigate malpractices.
There is word that the security tender was marred by corruption with a company belonging to powerful senator being awarded. The chief security officer, it is claimed, has been bought a new vehicle as an appreciation for awarding the tender. The other bidders have threatened to go to court over this.
The worst perhaps is the perimeter wall tender. This wall has been done four times and each time corruption is ripe. Currently Kanyoni and Ikiao are believed to have lobbied for their henchmen to award the same to Epco Company who have given them Sh1.8m.
A phone call made from a high source saw the results altered, it is said. Our mole informs us this is going to be a big legal tussle since there is enough evidence to prove there was high handedness. A document was exposed having been a valid one that the council discussed in Mombasa and it had the tender sum of the perimeter wall, this was being displayed or loaded to particular tenderers. An advert was put in a newspaper to scare would- be winners since money had already changed hands, those in the know say.
Most lecturers are running away and resource technology are never paid. There is a problem in the feeding programme such that most students miss their meals. The students have devised a way of printing meal receipts which they use to procure meals. A more subtle and awkward decision was scaring away the hotel manager and replacing him with a diploma holder or who is a Kikuyu. She is believed to have secured the job without due process. The law requires anybody with salary scale 11 and above to be interviewed by the council but this was not the case.
The recent graduation ceremony saw the legal officer differ with the acting registrar administration over the way tents were procured.
Starting from the top, the chancellor is Mrs Kimura-a Meru, vice chancellor, Prof Kaberth a Meru, DVC finance Prof Maranga, a Kikuyu, Prof Mbatia DVC academics, a Kikuyu, Mr Nderitu a Kikuyu is the finance officer, Esther acting auditor – a Kisii, Oboch acting registrar administration, a Luo.
All staff in accounts and human resource are controlled by Kikuyus with corporate headed by Mugambi a Meru. Hotel head is Esther a Kikuyu, printing headed by Rutho a Kikuyu, estates headed by Kanyoni a Kikuyu, hostels headed by Muolia a Kamba, Town campus headed by Mwihaki a Kikuyu.
One year down the line nothing seem to move and the musical chairs are the same, it is said.
The only visible sign is the two plaques encoded with the chancellor’s name for ground breaking.
Everybody rejoiced at the change of guard after Prof Oyaria left. Calm has come after the exit of Prof Naituli who was appointed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that seems dead also. Those who left behind are planning transfers or are dead silent.
As for tenders, all are awarded to a clique of Mt Kenyans led by one Murubi and David Ikiau a procurement officer who owns a mansion at Rongai. The man has been in procurement for over 20 years and seems the reason things are not moving. The borehole tender was awarded to his crony a one Kanyoni who is the estates manager. Kanyoni enjoys a rapport with the VC despite cries from other staff who have a feeling he should not double as an estates officer and a trade unionist chairman. He recently gave a warning letter to his deputy and almost sacked him. Many employees are suffering and living in fear of being sacked. The same Kanyoni at one time was accused of inflating borehole prices and had them dug at exhorbitant prices. Prof Naituli had him removed and the cases have since gone dead.
On the issue of discipline, it is claimed, laws are discriminately applied. A transport officer was found culpubable for having embezzled fuel funds, and spareparts, but the deputy VC finance ordered the security agents to drop the case. There are questions as to where the university bus and salon car are. At the same time when other employees are caught with minor offences the DVC sends them come immediately, it is said.
Appointment to tender committee is tribal and a boardroom issue. The same faces who are responsible for stalling projects in the university are time and again the same in tender committee raising the question how the security chief and legal officer can be on evaluation committees yet they should investigate malpractices.
There is word that the security tender was marred by corruption with a company belonging to powerful senator being awarded. The chief security officer, it is claimed, has been bought a new vehicle as an appreciation for awarding the tender. The other bidders have threatened to go to court over this.
The worst perhaps is the perimeter wall tender. This wall has been done four times and each time corruption is ripe. Currently Kanyoni and Ikiao are believed to have lobbied for their henchmen to award the same to Epco Company who have given them Sh1.8m.
A phone call made from a high source saw the results altered, it is said. Our mole informs us this is going to be a big legal tussle since there is enough evidence to prove there was high handedness. A document was exposed having been a valid one that the council discussed in Mombasa and it had the tender sum of the perimeter wall, this was being displayed or loaded to particular tenderers. An advert was put in a newspaper to scare would- be winners since money had already changed hands, those in the know say.
Most lecturers are running away and resource technology are never paid. There is a problem in the feeding programme such that most students miss their meals. The students have devised a way of printing meal receipts which they use to procure meals. A more subtle and awkward decision was scaring away the hotel manager and replacing him with a diploma holder or who is a Kikuyu. She is believed to have secured the job without due process. The law requires anybody with salary scale 11 and above to be interviewed by the council but this was not the case.
The recent graduation ceremony saw the legal officer differ with the acting registrar administration over the way tents were procured.
LONG OVERDUE CHANGE OF GUARD AT USIU FINALLY HERE
Infighting, backstabbing and boardroom wars have finally led to the long overdue and eagerly awaited retirement of the United States International University vice chancellor Prof Freida Brown.
The Usiu board of trustees have been embroiled in secret wars after it was revealed that Usiu has been for a long time involved in serious fraud of tax evasion, recruitment of foreigners without approval of the board and the running of the institution without the substantive holder of the position of chancelor as required by the universities Act.
But one question that has remained unanswered for two decades is how the Commission for University Education allowed a foreigner working on a two-year contract which she has been renewing with no uncertainty to be a vice-chancellor.
Brown’s retirement which sources say came after years of pressure from local education stakeholders having been at the helm of Usiu for 20 years making her the longest serving VC in Kenya will now put to rest demands by Kenyans that she should let a Kenyan head the institution.
Brown’s retirement has been a thorny issue at Usiu and those who made such proposals found themselves kicked out of employment from Usiu. What has now come out is that for all these years, she has been holding the previous governments of Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki at ransom, causing ministry of Internal Security to almost automatically get the work permit.
Sources say she played games to have her work permit renewed by applying for the renewal when holding the position already and threatening government officials that failure to renew her work permit will bring down Usiu.
The truth of the matter is that apart from coursing previous government officers, she has also been managing Usiu with impunity. A case in hand was the sacking of former VC (finance and administration) Eric Outa. Outa made history by becoming the first senior Usiu staff to dare take her to court.
He went to Industrial Court claiming the termination was wrong and unlawful and the decision was reversed but Outa had already landed job at Riara University.
The announcement made through a formal statement by the chancellor and chair of the Usiu board of trustees Manu Chandaria has been received with jubilation at Usiu with students, non-teaching staff and the academic staff saying it was long overdue.
Sources divulged that already there is a serious boardroom war at Usiu with Chandaria as the chancellor and saying that the mess Brown created will take them years to correct. Chandaria’s main problem is that the university has been involved in serious tax evasion running into millions of shillings.
The tax evasion scam was so big that KRA officials one time stormed the institution and Brown was caught flat-footed and could only tell the taxmen that Usiu is a non-profit making organisation and that they usually plough back to the community while in the real she has been investing in expansion programmes rather than giving back to the community.
It was during one of the stormy meetings that Chandaria discovered that Usiu had not complied with a number of government’s requirements and Chandaria insisted Usiu must operate within the law. It was at the same meeting that Chandaria was appointed the Usiu chancellor.
According to well-placed sources, her retirement has come at a time when she has failed to compromise the Jubilee administration as she used to do with the previous governments. She could no longer call the shots as had been in the past and is therefore vulnerable and to avoid embarrassment, she had no option but to reluctantly accept to retire. Also, she has taken the government to court after construction of by-pass across campus land. It is claimed she had been promised a foot bridge but the government through ministry of Transport seems to have backed off.
Those who have worked with her say that she drew her arrogance by virtue of being a commissioner of the defunct Commissioner of Higher Education making her the most influential foreigner in higher education in Kenya.
To show how powerful she has been, at one time during a meeting called to explore the procedure of mainstreaming the Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Services at Jogoo House, she downdressed Education cabinet secretary Jacob Kaimenyi.
Those who attended the meeting silently wondered who this powerful foreigner was. Some even mistook her for the dreaded CIA. Although she enjoyed protection from the previous government, the Jubilee government has now come out to ensure she respects and obeys the law.
Already, the government is said to be investigating circumstances under which she illegally brought in four expatriates from USA. Rumours have been spreading like bushfire that the four could be CIA since no one knows who vetted them before being allowed to take up the jobs at Usiu.
The government is now said to have opened up investigations on the real ownership of Usiu-A and based on a statement she at one time gave that nobody owns Usiu and that really confirmed that she could be the owner as previously alleged.
According to well-placed sources, initially, she was to retire by December 31 2014 but pleaded with the board to add her one more year to sort out a few matters before she could pick up her bags, call it quits and head for JKIA to catch a flight home.
The Usiu board sources say reluctantly extended her contract by a year. In the statement, Chandaria wrote “As chancellor of the university and chairman of the board of trustees, it is my responsibility to inform you that at its annual meeting held this year from Friday, November 14 to Sunday, November 16 2014, the board of trustees received formal notice from the vice chancellor Prof Freida Brown of her intention to retire from the office of vice chancellor of the United States International University -Africa, effective midnight, Thursday, December 31 2015”.
But what is again raising eyebrows is the fact that Chandaria signed the letter as Usiu’s chancellor, and the question is how he can be chancellor of two universities. Apart from being the chancellor and chairman of board of trustees of Usiu, Chandaria is also listed as chancellor of the Technical University of Kenya. He also now makes history by becoming the first person to be chancellor of two universities.
According to Usiu’s charter which is yet to be amended as required by the law, it only provides for CEO/chancellor, so is Chandaria the CEO of Usiu? We have also gathered that Brown’s exit had been kept a top secret.
Sources privy to her dealings divulged that her exit had been planned to be silent as per the advice of the US Embassy as her continued friction with the government could have endangered her life.
Already, lobbying for her replacement has begun as word spread within the university that Chandaria has convened a search committee of the board which will begin the process of finding a new vice chancellor to take over from Brown.
The statement reads in part: “The committee will be expanded to include representation from all constituent groups within the university and, once it has been finalised, more details on its mandate and my charge to them will follow. This team will work closely with an international search and recruitment company”.
Mid this year, Brown found herself between a rock and a hard place when word leaked out that the Usiu degrees and diplomas were not valid. The matter found its way to the national assembly where a parliamentary Committee on Education was directed by House Speaker Justin Muturi to conduct further investigations to establish whether the Usiu had breached the universities Act and the validity of their degrees and diplomas.
This came after MP Victor Munyaka sought clarification after concern by graduates who have passed through Usiu with long serving vice-chancellor at the helm.
The bone of contention then was that Usiu has no post of the chancellor to confer degrees and diplomas and that Usiu’s structure has since its establishment failed to appoint a chancellor to award the certificates. Chandaria was finally appointed the chancellor.
Trouble for Brown began following a circular signed by principal secretary in the ministry of Education Belio Kipsang and Commission of University Education, Prof David Some which sought to rein in private universities breaching the Act.
What is now raising eyebrows even as Brown bows to pressure is why Usiu has over the years failed to appoint qualified Kenyans to hold the post of vice-chancellor currently. It is laughable to note that she holds a dubious title of being the longest serving vice chancellor in Kenya.
The act which is now a big blow to Brown relates to the appointment of chancellors in both public and private universities, development of statutes and regulations by universities accreditation of universities.
At Usiu, one question that has always remained unanswered is over its ownership. It is claimed the university is owned by a group of Americans, with an ex-US ambassador to Kenya (Aurelia Braseal) listed as director of the university located in the Kasarani area, off Thika Road.
According to the website, the university is an independent, not-for-profit institution serving approximately 4,800 students, of whom 88pc are domestic and 12pc are international representing about 54 nationalities.
Another thorny issue which Brown must address before she packs her bag to kiss bye to Usiu is the fact that the ministry of Education, Science and Technology had rejected an amended version of the Usiu Charter saying it is in conflict with the universities Act No 42 of 2012.
It has now emerged that it was a deliberate and tactical move by Usiu to continue without a chancellor and it is after it was rejected that Chandaria was appointed the chancellor. It has been whispered within the corridors of Usiu that Brown fears leadership competition from locals who are more qualified.
At one given time, a group of Usiu students wanted to go to court to challenge the validity of their degrees awarded illegally by vice chancellor and in the absence of the senate. After the Commission for University Education got wind of the students’ move, they alerted the ministry of a looming crisis at Usiu which made the ministry to panic and prompted some action.
Sources say it was Brown who pleaded with Kaimenyi not to withdraw Usiu charter and also not to have her work permit revoked. She promised to hurriedly appoint a chancellor and senate and indeed she appointed Chandaria.
It is rumoured that among the stooges Brown fronts to propagate her rule at Usiu include Vimal Shah who is Kepsa chairman and Chandaria. Lecturers are of thye view that these gentlemen are rubber stamps and do not even know who owns Usiu and other underhands.
The Usiu board of trustees have been embroiled in secret wars after it was revealed that Usiu has been for a long time involved in serious fraud of tax evasion, recruitment of foreigners without approval of the board and the running of the institution without the substantive holder of the position of chancelor as required by the universities Act.
But one question that has remained unanswered for two decades is how the Commission for University Education allowed a foreigner working on a two-year contract which she has been renewing with no uncertainty to be a vice-chancellor.
Brown’s retirement which sources say came after years of pressure from local education stakeholders having been at the helm of Usiu for 20 years making her the longest serving VC in Kenya will now put to rest demands by Kenyans that she should let a Kenyan head the institution.
Brown’s retirement has been a thorny issue at Usiu and those who made such proposals found themselves kicked out of employment from Usiu. What has now come out is that for all these years, she has been holding the previous governments of Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki at ransom, causing ministry of Internal Security to almost automatically get the work permit.
Sources say she played games to have her work permit renewed by applying for the renewal when holding the position already and threatening government officials that failure to renew her work permit will bring down Usiu.
The truth of the matter is that apart from coursing previous government officers, she has also been managing Usiu with impunity. A case in hand was the sacking of former VC (finance and administration) Eric Outa. Outa made history by becoming the first senior Usiu staff to dare take her to court.
He went to Industrial Court claiming the termination was wrong and unlawful and the decision was reversed but Outa had already landed job at Riara University.
The announcement made through a formal statement by the chancellor and chair of the Usiu board of trustees Manu Chandaria has been received with jubilation at Usiu with students, non-teaching staff and the academic staff saying it was long overdue.
Sources divulged that already there is a serious boardroom war at Usiu with Chandaria as the chancellor and saying that the mess Brown created will take them years to correct. Chandaria’s main problem is that the university has been involved in serious tax evasion running into millions of shillings.
The tax evasion scam was so big that KRA officials one time stormed the institution and Brown was caught flat-footed and could only tell the taxmen that Usiu is a non-profit making organisation and that they usually plough back to the community while in the real she has been investing in expansion programmes rather than giving back to the community.
It was during one of the stormy meetings that Chandaria discovered that Usiu had not complied with a number of government’s requirements and Chandaria insisted Usiu must operate within the law. It was at the same meeting that Chandaria was appointed the Usiu chancellor.
According to well-placed sources, her retirement has come at a time when she has failed to compromise the Jubilee administration as she used to do with the previous governments. She could no longer call the shots as had been in the past and is therefore vulnerable and to avoid embarrassment, she had no option but to reluctantly accept to retire. Also, she has taken the government to court after construction of by-pass across campus land. It is claimed she had been promised a foot bridge but the government through ministry of Transport seems to have backed off.
Those who have worked with her say that she drew her arrogance by virtue of being a commissioner of the defunct Commissioner of Higher Education making her the most influential foreigner in higher education in Kenya.
To show how powerful she has been, at one time during a meeting called to explore the procedure of mainstreaming the Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Services at Jogoo House, she downdressed Education cabinet secretary Jacob Kaimenyi.
Those who attended the meeting silently wondered who this powerful foreigner was. Some even mistook her for the dreaded CIA. Although she enjoyed protection from the previous government, the Jubilee government has now come out to ensure she respects and obeys the law.
Already, the government is said to be investigating circumstances under which she illegally brought in four expatriates from USA. Rumours have been spreading like bushfire that the four could be CIA since no one knows who vetted them before being allowed to take up the jobs at Usiu.
The government is now said to have opened up investigations on the real ownership of Usiu-A and based on a statement she at one time gave that nobody owns Usiu and that really confirmed that she could be the owner as previously alleged.
According to well-placed sources, initially, she was to retire by December 31 2014 but pleaded with the board to add her one more year to sort out a few matters before she could pick up her bags, call it quits and head for JKIA to catch a flight home.
The Usiu board sources say reluctantly extended her contract by a year. In the statement, Chandaria wrote “As chancellor of the university and chairman of the board of trustees, it is my responsibility to inform you that at its annual meeting held this year from Friday, November 14 to Sunday, November 16 2014, the board of trustees received formal notice from the vice chancellor Prof Freida Brown of her intention to retire from the office of vice chancellor of the United States International University -Africa, effective midnight, Thursday, December 31 2015”.
But what is again raising eyebrows is the fact that Chandaria signed the letter as Usiu’s chancellor, and the question is how he can be chancellor of two universities. Apart from being the chancellor and chairman of board of trustees of Usiu, Chandaria is also listed as chancellor of the Technical University of Kenya. He also now makes history by becoming the first person to be chancellor of two universities.
According to Usiu’s charter which is yet to be amended as required by the law, it only provides for CEO/chancellor, so is Chandaria the CEO of Usiu? We have also gathered that Brown’s exit had been kept a top secret.
Sources privy to her dealings divulged that her exit had been planned to be silent as per the advice of the US Embassy as her continued friction with the government could have endangered her life.
Already, lobbying for her replacement has begun as word spread within the university that Chandaria has convened a search committee of the board which will begin the process of finding a new vice chancellor to take over from Brown.
The statement reads in part: “The committee will be expanded to include representation from all constituent groups within the university and, once it has been finalised, more details on its mandate and my charge to them will follow. This team will work closely with an international search and recruitment company”.
Mid this year, Brown found herself between a rock and a hard place when word leaked out that the Usiu degrees and diplomas were not valid. The matter found its way to the national assembly where a parliamentary Committee on Education was directed by House Speaker Justin Muturi to conduct further investigations to establish whether the Usiu had breached the universities Act and the validity of their degrees and diplomas.
This came after MP Victor Munyaka sought clarification after concern by graduates who have passed through Usiu with long serving vice-chancellor at the helm.
The bone of contention then was that Usiu has no post of the chancellor to confer degrees and diplomas and that Usiu’s structure has since its establishment failed to appoint a chancellor to award the certificates. Chandaria was finally appointed the chancellor.
Trouble for Brown began following a circular signed by principal secretary in the ministry of Education Belio Kipsang and Commission of University Education, Prof David Some which sought to rein in private universities breaching the Act.
What is now raising eyebrows even as Brown bows to pressure is why Usiu has over the years failed to appoint qualified Kenyans to hold the post of vice-chancellor currently. It is laughable to note that she holds a dubious title of being the longest serving vice chancellor in Kenya.
The act which is now a big blow to Brown relates to the appointment of chancellors in both public and private universities, development of statutes and regulations by universities accreditation of universities.
At Usiu, one question that has always remained unanswered is over its ownership. It is claimed the university is owned by a group of Americans, with an ex-US ambassador to Kenya (Aurelia Braseal) listed as director of the university located in the Kasarani area, off Thika Road.
According to the website, the university is an independent, not-for-profit institution serving approximately 4,800 students, of whom 88pc are domestic and 12pc are international representing about 54 nationalities.
Another thorny issue which Brown must address before she packs her bag to kiss bye to Usiu is the fact that the ministry of Education, Science and Technology had rejected an amended version of the Usiu Charter saying it is in conflict with the universities Act No 42 of 2012.
It has now emerged that it was a deliberate and tactical move by Usiu to continue without a chancellor and it is after it was rejected that Chandaria was appointed the chancellor. It has been whispered within the corridors of Usiu that Brown fears leadership competition from locals who are more qualified.
At one given time, a group of Usiu students wanted to go to court to challenge the validity of their degrees awarded illegally by vice chancellor and in the absence of the senate. After the Commission for University Education got wind of the students’ move, they alerted the ministry of a looming crisis at Usiu which made the ministry to panic and prompted some action.
Sources say it was Brown who pleaded with Kaimenyi not to withdraw Usiu charter and also not to have her work permit revoked. She promised to hurriedly appoint a chancellor and senate and indeed she appointed Chandaria.
It is rumoured that among the stooges Brown fronts to propagate her rule at Usiu include Vimal Shah who is Kepsa chairman and Chandaria. Lecturers are of thye view that these gentlemen are rubber stamps and do not even know who owns Usiu and other underhands.
Friday, 28 November 2014
MP ACCUSED OF SABOTAGING DEVELOPMENT IN WAJIR COUNTY
Political
leaders, professionals, Clergy and residents of Wajir County are now appealing
to elected leaders to work harmoniously for the sake of development of Wajir
County.
The
leaders have been particularly concerned with the conduct of Eldas MP Adan
Keynan whom they accuse of restlessly sabotaging the County Executive led by
Governor Ahmed Abdulahi.
According
to section of Wajir residents, Keynan who is also the chairman of the Public
Investment Committee and Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Service Commission
has been a big critic to the executive something that has slowed down
development.
Sources
say, upon assuming office, he piled pressure on Abdulahi to employ his friends,
cronies and political supporters without following the correct procedures. On
refusing to bend the law to suit his interest, he vowed to make the governor
spend sleepless nights.
After
his attempts to procedurally employ his people failed, sources say he used
his position as the vice chairman of the parliamentary service commission to
ensure he secured them jobs as parliamentary staff. What is worrying is that he
has only secured jobs for people from his sub-clan.
Wajir
County MPs have now abandoned him leaving him with only a few activists.
Already the four MCAs from his county are now working very closely with the
executive.
Those
who have been closely following political events in Wajir County now say that
Keynan has been introducing some Bills in Parliament that only targets the
Governors.One such Bill is the National Flag Emblems and Names Amendment Bill,
2013. In this Bill, he hopes to clip the Governors’ wings not to fly the
national flag. Another Bill is that of Order of Precedence Bill which deals
with pecking order.
He
is now said to be working on a Bill that will see the sharing of county
resources equally among the sub-counties. It is widely believed that this Bill
is specifically targeting Wajir County where he hopes that if the Bills become
law, his sub-county which is the smallest at only square kilometers will have
equal share with sub-counties some of which are 20,000 square kilometers.
It
is being whispered that he now plans to relocate his political base from Wajir
County to Mandera County in 2017. This is after he has realized he has become
unpopular with the electorate. Claims that the County government of Wajir has
not done much are unfounded.
Last
week, members of the Parliamentary Committee of health visited Wajir County and
commended the Governor for a job well done. To date, more health workers have
been recruited and have also operationalised the district and sub‐district
hospitals in Wajir town which now for the first time ever work s for 24 hours.
New facilities have been opened which were previously closed for lack of staff
and equipment.
On
water provision, the county government has so far drilled 58 boreholes; another
thirty six have been contracted and are at various stages of drilling. Eighteen
new water pans with total capacity of four hundred and eighty thousand cubic
meters have been dug.
On
infrastructure, the design of the 25 km tarmac in Wajir town and its environs
is ongoing and the actual roadwork will follow soon. Road works at various
stages of completion include‐ graveling of
191.3 km,
grading
of another 176.7 km, construction of thirty drifts and bush clearing of 930.4
km.
On
Education, the county government has revived the polytechnics by buying
learning materials and introducing relevant courses such as electrical and
plumbing.
Sources
say the residents are glad with the speed at which the county government is
quickly delivering services. Already 31 maternity wings have been opened, 14
dispensaries, 14 markets, 8 social halls, 14 ECD modern schools, six irrigation
schemes and street lighting in all the sub-counties headquarters.
Residents are now cautioning businessman
Sheikh Burhan to go slow on his association with politicians working around the
clock to bring down the county government. He is also known to work closely
with Mohammed Abikar who is the self appointed leader of a lobby group known as
Wajir Anti Corruption Forum.
The
lobby group according to investigations is a brief case and a one-man-show outfit
which only exists on paper and whose activities have never been felt on the
ground. Sources say its owners only use it to solicit for funds.
There
are those who now say that Keynana, Abikar and Burhan must stop their dirty
tricks on the county government or their dirty past will be exposed. They claim
Keynan is known to have been using his position as PIC chairman to intimidate
government officials. They further claim his past record shows that he had been
charged with murder in 2003 in the High Court in Nairobi through criminal case
No223 of 2003 and an alleged false mileage claims. It is also suspected that
one Adan Gedi who failed to qualify for the position of procurement officer is
also known to be in the team that is threatening to bring down the county
Government.
Residents
claim the MP has been making returns on projects funded by the county
Government pretending that they were funded by CDF. The controversial projects
include boreholes and solar street lights.
It
is alleged that he is not comfortable with Abdulahi’s rising stature as one of
the most respected governors and as chair of Finance of the governors body.
On
his part, Abdullahi is said to have kept studious silence and has concentrated
on service delivery. Abdullahi is an independent-minded leader with a knack for
consensus building. He is a talented manager with over 15 years' experience in
financial management as an auditor with Deloitte & Touche, Business Advisor
- Barclays Bank and more recently Finance Director Hass Petroleum.
He has distinguished
himself as a brilliant mind, a strong advocate for devolution as the right
prescription that will reverse years of marginalization of the county. He is passionate
about steering the County's development with special interest in women, youth
and children and addressing the root causes of food security, poverty,
illiteracy, infrastructure while strengthening peace and cohesion. He is the
immediate Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Industrial Estates
Limited (K.I.E).
MUTUA, WIFE TUSSLE OVER CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
Kenya: Machakos Governor Alfred
Mutua and his estranged wife Josephine Thitu Maundu are entangled in a dispute
over custody of their three children who are currently residing in Australia.
Mutua wants the court to direct his wife to return their three children into
the country. Mr Mutua alleges that he and Thitu are still husband and wife but
on November 5, she secretly flew the children from the country to an unknown
destination in Australia. Through his lawyer Mugambi Laichena, he wants the
court to issue an order directing Kenyan Ambassador to Australia to assist in
bringing back the three children and ensure that peace prevails during the
process. He also wants the court to restrain Thitu’s relatives, friends,
tenants and employees from entering, accessing or interfering with his
matrimonial properties at Westlands in Nairobi, Mavoko and Matathani homes in
Machakos County pending hearing and determination of the suit. He claims that
he was informed that some of his wife’s relatives, accompanied by human rights
activists, were trying to force their way into the properties. See also: Former
Britam managers’ accounts to remain frozen “The respondent’s behaviour has
caused me a lot of psychological torture, pain, anguish, harm and embarrassment
and even damaged my status in public,” he states in the affidavit filed at
Milimani Law Courts. Mutua says some of Thitu’s relatives were claiming that it
is not his house and he should therefore not interfere with the property. He
says that on November 8, he reported the matter at Spring Valley Police Station
so that police could commence investigations. Mutua says that he is convinced
that the interest of the children’s right and responsibility belongs to all
parents and his wife cannot therefore be allowed to run away with the children
without his consent. He argues that he has been paying his children’s school
fees at St. Mary’s School and Montessori School and he therefore does not want
them to be away from him. “I am a man of means and I am ready to cater for all
the transport and any financial requirement to bring back my children,” said
Mutua in the affidavit. Thitu, in her response, says that she is shocked that
Mutua alleges she took away the children secretly as if to imply they lived
together yet Mutua abandoned them in 2012 and is now living with another woman.
She says Australia is their second
home having lived there on and off since 2000. The woman also says their twin
children are permanent citizens of Australia having been born there in 2009
while their first born has a permanent residency. She says she had to travel to
Australia because their permanent resident visa was to expire on November 20
and they would have been barred from entering that country. Thitu, who is
represented by Elizabeth Mungai, says that Mutua has no capacity to have
custody of the children because he lives with another woman, a fact that is
broadcasted even in the Machakos County website. She denies that she left the
country without the intention of ever returning, noting that Kenya is her home
and that she has elderly parents as well as siblings. She wants the court to
direct Mutua to remove security he has placed at their properties that are
under her name.
MIXED REACTIONS TO RAILA NEW PARTY LINE-UP
Friction within Orange Democratic
Movement ( ODM) could escalate after it became clear yesterday that the top
party leadership does not contemplate further discussion on the contentious
list of officials picked a fortnight ago. Speaking during the burial of Homa
Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ in Waondo village, CORD leader Raila Odinga
asserted that he had already trusted the leadership of ODM with youthful
leaders. Raila expressed confidence in the team led by Budalangi MP Ababu
Namwamba (Secretary General) and John Mbadi (Suba), saying it is made up of
youthful leaders who would revamp the party ahead of the 2017 General Election.
“There have been claims that I prefer Old Guards for the leadership of the
party; that is why I brought the Young Turks to spearhead the agenda of the
party,” Raila said. “It is a strong team that will strengthen the party, are
they able or not?” Raila posed to thousands of mourners who shouted in the
affirmative. Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka who also attended the burial
urged ODM members to accept the leadership change and hailed Raila for making
what he termed a “bold move to restore sanity in the party”. “I want to ask
other members who were not elected into the leadership positions that all of us
cannot be secretary general or party leader at the same time,” said Kalonzo.
Some Raila loyalists had opposed the
proposed leadership line up, accusing Raila of handpicking party officials
instead of allowing delegates to elect them through popular initiative. Among
ODM members opposed to the party officials’ include Siaya Senator James Orengo,
MPs Paul Otuoma (Funyula) and Junnet Mohammed (Suna East). All of them,
although present at the event, did not talk about the party issues. Outgoing
ODM Secretary General Anyang’ Nyong’o indicated he was ready to hand over to
the new crop of leaders. “The time has come to pass the button, but I will do
that to a united party,” he said. The CORD leaders maintained that the
coalition must remain united in honour of the late senator who they eulogised
as the most loyal member of the coalition. “We agreed with Kajwang’ at the
meeting of Luo leaders at Sikri that those who want to join Jubilee alliance
should quit and that is why I said they are either with us or with them,” Raila
stated, adding that the late senator stood for the unity of the Luo Community.
“Those who want to split Luos will not be tolerated for the honour of Kajwang,”
he insisted. Mr Wetang’ula also asked the CORD members to remain united: “Do
not be enticed with peremende ndogo ndogo (small goodies) from the Jubilee
Government. Kajwang’ stood for loyalty and other members should follow suit.”
The CORD minority whip in the National Assembly Thomas Mwadeghu said the party
was reaching out to rebels but warned that the coalition would not relent in
cracking the whip on the perceived “Jubilee moles”.
“We have made a position as a
coalition that we will discipline all errant MPs by removing them from key
Parliamentary Committees. Anybody who fails to support the causes and respect
the ideologies of the coalition will have to ship out,” he said. “ ODM is
committed to win the next General Election, but that cannot materialise when
there are divisions in the party,” warned Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi. The
proposed new ODM leaders vowed to bring change to the Orange party. “Those who
had imagined that our house has been weakened will be in for a rude shock. The
new leadership is powerful. We are rebranding and reloading,” said Mr Namwamba.
“I want to tell the new leaders who will fail to build the party that I will be
the first one to discipline them,” warned Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, who was
also appointed the deputy party leader. Although President Uhuru Kenyatta was
in the event’s programme, he did not attend the function. Jubilee leaders who
attended the burial were Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo, Senate
Speaker Ekwe Ethuro, Senators John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot), Kimani Wamatangi
(Kiambu) and Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto. But CORD leaders asked Kenyatta’s
administration to address the spiraling insecurity, and challenged him to
resign if his government cannot protect its citizens from terror attacks.
Despite the hostile reception some
of the Jubilee leaders received from the mourners at Uhuru Park in Nairobi on
Wednesday, there was calm during the senators burial and they were allowed to
give speeches. Meanwhile, the funeral service was not without its highs and
lows, as leaders demanded to know what killed Kajwang’ stressing that it was
not a normal death. Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town), Senators James Orengo
(Siaya), Johnsone Muthama (Machako) and Elizabeth Ongoro (Nominated) expressed
their dissatisfaction with the postmortem report, saying more analysis need to
be done. “We have received death threats in the past. Kajwang was one of us ,
it was only not known how it was going to take place. What we know is that
Kajwang died in line of duty, he said a lot during the aborted ODM party
elections at Kasarani, I am not afraid of going to jail, I do not believe in
many things, including the cause of death of Kajwang,” said Senator Ongoro.
Senator Muthama added, “ We must know if indeed Kajwang’ death is normal or
aided by a human being.” Meanwhile, most leaders allied to the Jubilee
coalition skipped the burial. Though the leaders united in grief following his
death, only Defence Cabinet Secretary (CS) Rachiel Omamo and Senator Kimani
Wamatangi (Kiambu) turned up to witness Kajwang’s final journey on earth.
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