A section of Maasai Mara University staff on Wednesday last week vowed to bar embattled Vice-Chancellor Professor Mary Walingo whose vacation ends next week from entering office.
Speaking at the University’s pavilion, the staff who were led by the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) Chairperson Ms. Jacky Sanaipei and Maasai Mara Branch KUSU Representative Stella Malaso said no proper communication has been made on the clearance of professor by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The embattled professor is set to resume her duties after six months leave since Citizen Television released an alleged corruption scandal involving the VC and those working in her office.
Ms. Sanaipei questioned why there was no prosecution or any person arrested in connection with the allegations on Professor Walingo six months after she was accused.
“After the famous ‘Mara Heist expose’ by Citizen Television last year that shockingly exposed the rot at the institution with Prof Walingo allegedly on the spot, no report has ever been released and yet we are told that the professor will be back in office,” said Ms. Sanaipei.
The outspoken KUSU chair asked the varsity staff to engage in cold war by observing a two-hour silence every day as a way of expressing their dissatisfactory with the professor’s return to work.
“I beg you to unite and work as one to show the whole country that we are not contented with the vice chancellor’s return. Every day we must observe a two hour silence until the day the investigating officers will give us the full report of the ‘Mara Heist’ allegations,” said Ms. Sanaipei.
Ms. Malaso said the staff was aware that Prof Walingo was planning a comeback irrespective of the University Council requesting her to extend with 115 more days.
“We wonder who is this shielding the professor from the corruption allegations. What we want first is to know the findings from the Director of Criminal Investigations before we can allow her back in the office,” she said.
Ms. Malaso reiterated that the mood at the university was hostile and that Prof. Walingo’s return was not welcomed back before the staff was clearly informed on the investigation report.
In January, it was reported that Prof Walingo had come back to the institution. This was confirmed by the acting VC Prof Kiche Magak.
Immediately, the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions(ODPP) on its twitter handle clarified that the VC has not been cleared in the corruption allegations.
“Contrary to allegations, Maasai Mara University VC Prof Mary Walingo has not been cleared of corruption allegations against her,” read the tweet.
Magak said Walingo was returning to the university after her leave ended.
“I am not privy to the DCI investigations so I cannot comment on it. Her(VC’s) leave ended January 22 this year but she has requested for an extension of extra one month,” revealed Magak. Walingo who has served as the university’s VC since 2015 was exposed by whistleblowers led by the finance officer Spencer Sankale.
Maasai Mara University was closed a few days ago in order to avoid the spread coronavirus (COVID-19)
