Former Garissa University College Principal Prof Francis Jackim Mulaa was on Tuesday arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court over allegations of abuse of office linked to a controversial 750-student hostel construction project.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the charges stem from 2013–2014 financial year, when Prof Mulaa initiated plans for a 750-capacity hostel while serving as principal of the college which was still under Moi University.
It is reported that Prof Mulaa submitted the proposal and architectural designs to the University College Council without prior approval from government architects at the Ministry of Public Works.
Despite the concerns, Prof Mulaa went ahead and appointed Archipoint Consulting Architects as project managers, signing a contract with them on April 24, 2014. Authorities say this action violated public procurement laws, as no competitive process was followed.
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“Despite these concerns, Prof Mulaa moved forward, appointing Archipoint Consulting Architects as the project managers and entering into a contract with them on April 24, 2014, bypassing the competitive procurement processes mandated by law and established guidelines,” wrote the DCI.
A representative of Archipoint Consulting Architects reportedly sat on the tender evaluation committee without proper authorization, holding dual roles that contravened the Public Procurement and Disposal Act.
Prof Mulaa pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Isabellah Barasa and was released on a bond of Ksh500, 000 or an alternative cash bail of Ksh50, 000. The case will be mentioned on August 19, 2025, for a pre-trial hearing.
By Joyline Chebet
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