Juja MCA Samuel Gitau lying about abduction, says varsity as it plans to sue him
Governor William Kabogo talks to Juja MCA Samuel Gitau after he was found in Naivasha on Sunday, March 15, 2015. JKUAT has dismissed claims by Gitau that his opposition to a hostel project at the institution was the reason for his abduction. FILE PHOTO | ERIC WAINAINA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The university has described the allegations as far-fetched and is now threatening legal action against the MCA.
- JKUAT said the allegations are grave and highly criminal meant to injure the reputation of the university and disfranchise our stakeholders.
- Mr Gitau has been quoted in the media blaming his eight-day ordeal on his opposition to the construction of the hostels.
- The ward rep was found at Kinungi, Naivasha, about one week after he disappeared from Juja in Kiambu County.
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has dismissed claims by Juja MCA Samuel Gitau that his opposition to a hostel project at the institution was the reason for his abduction.
The university has described the allegations as far-fetched and is now threatening legal action against the MCA.
“The allegations are grave and highly criminal meant to injure the reputation of the university and disfranchise our stakeholders.
"We are consulting for legal redress,” the university said in a statement signed by the head of communications, Hinzano Ngonyo.
“We also urge the relevant State agencies to investigate the matter to unearth the truth as the management feels slighted to be implicated in the MCA’s diversionary campaigns that are clearly misplaced and unfounded,” Dr Ngonyo said.
“JKUAT should not be dragged into political squabbles.
“Projects at the university are not privately owned but public utilities approved by the Ministry of Education and financed by the National Treasury.
“All the projects follow due process. Any project a public institution undertakes is carried out on behalf of the government, for public interest and individual gain,” Dr Ngonyo added.
EIGHT-DAY ORDEAL
Mr Gitau has been quoted in the media blaming his eight-day ordeal on his opposition to the construction of the hostels.
He said that prior to his abduction, he was approached by a man who claimed to be an official from JKUAT who wanted to discuss the project but the MCA said he insisted that he was still opposed to it.
The MCA claimed he suffered because of his fight for JKUAT’s “oppressed workers”.
The university also wants the MCA to come clean on allegations that he is being fought for refusing to take a bribe.
“It is highly regrettable for the MCA to claim that he is being fought for refusing to be bribed. We are not aware of the bribery allegations. He should table evidence to support his claims,” Dr Ngonyo added.
He also accused the MCA of venturing into a trade union territory by interfering with the issue of workers.
“The issue of workers is being handled by the respective unions,” Dr Ngoyo said.
The unions are the University Academic Staff Union, Kenya University Staff Union, and the Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels, Education and Allied Workers.
The ward rep was found at Kinungi, Naivasha, about one week after he disappeared from Juja in Kiambu County.
