By Obegi Malack
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has reinstated suspended Maasai Mara University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof. Mary Walingo back to her employment on suspension pending a hearing of the Anti-corruption case against her until her contract is lawfully terminated.
In a statement on Wednesday PSC directed that Prof. Walingo be paid half of her salary and the attendant allowances from the date of her suspension.
PSC issued the orders following an appeal that had been filed against the University council on 20th May, 2022
Prof. Walingo in her appeal argued that Maasai Mara University Council lacked the capacity to terminate her employment and it was only the Cabinet Secretary (CS) who had been conferred with the power to make an appointment of the VC.
She claimed that the Council did not accord her a fair hearing before it reached the decision to terminate her employment and should have only submitted a recommendation to the Education CS.
The Commission on 6th September in its decision said that the Council had power to terminate the employment of the VC, however, in Walingo’s case, the termination was not done lawfully.
“Consequently, the Commission allows the appeal and directs that the appellant be reinstated back to her employment on suspension pending the hearing and determination of the Anti-Corruption case and or until her contract is lawfully terminated,” stated Ambassador Anthony Muchiri, PSC Chairperson.
Prof. Walingo and other four Maasai Mara University officials were implicated in an alleged KSh.177 million graft scandal.
The four are Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration Simon Kasaine, former Acting DVC Finance John Almadi, former finance officer Anaclet Biket and her driver Noor Hassan Abdi.
Prof. Walingo was in September 2019 sent on compulsory leave by the University council. On 23rd October 2020, she was suspended pending hearing and determination of the case against her before Nakuru Law Courts.
The accused had denied ten charges ranging from conspiracy to commit corruption offences, willfull failure to comply with the law relating to management of public funds, abuse of office, fraudulent false accounting and stealing by person.
Court charges indicated the five between January 24 and July 19, 2019 at the University allegedly conspired to misappropriate public funds amounting to Ksh.177,007,754 from the institution.
Prof. Kitche Magak who is the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs was appointed to replace her in an acting capacity, who was later replaced by Joseph Chacha in January 2022 in acting.
