Suspended senior varsity officials face the sack over fraud

Two senior suspended managers at the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) could face the sack after auditors from National Treasury recommended disciplinary action against them.

Vice-Chancellor Josphat Mwatelah and Registrar Academic affairs Tunje Kadere were suspended early this year.

Prof Mwatelah who was suspended by the University council on January 28, is facing accusations of nepotism and irregular procurements of goods and services at the institution while Dr Kadere was accused of admitting 67 students into certificate, Diploma and Degree Courses without requisite qualifications.

The auditors after their investigations confirmed that Prof Mwatelah was involved in irregular procurement of goods and services nepotism in recruitment.

The investigation was ordered by the ministry of Education after it received a letter from an a anonymous person alleging mismanagement of the institution.

The auditors found that the suspended VC unilaterally signed for student management system software contract between TUM and Silitech Limited contrary to section 74 of the PPOA Act, 2005 at a cost of Sh15.3 million.

“Misrepresentation of facts to the council about the status of donation of the land at Gotani by Kaloleni CDF for establishment of a campus, so far the University had paid Sh6million for fencing and construction of a gate even without the ownership of the land being confirmed,” states the report signed by Senior Assisnt Internal Auditor- General Victoria Angwenyi and addressed to Higher Education Principal Secretary Collete Suda.

Prof Mwatelah has also been accused of authorising Ms Scola Mbuche Tunje scholarship.

Ms Tunje who is the daughter of Dr Kadere was sponsored to study for a Master’s programme in Swizerland at a cost of Sh4.3million despite the fact that she was still on probation.

The auditors confirmed that Mr Joshua Amwayi , Grade -11 , son in -law to the VC and Mr Noel Mwatela – Grade -6, son to the VC were interviewed for higher grade 13 and 8 respectively and eventually placed on grades 12 and 7.

“The Promotion were not in accordance with the laid procedures, hence progression as per the scheme of service was not adhered to. In our opinion there was no meritocracy in this promotion but nepotism,” states the auditors.

The auditors also found that the suspended VC was awarding advertising tenders without obtaining mandatory approvals and had failed to demonstrate compliance with the code of ethics in the performance of his duties.

They have recommended that Dr Kadere be held for the loss of Sh4.3million which was used to sponsor his daughter Ms Tunje who absconded duty despite the fact that she was bonded.

Also on the spotlight is former Deputy Human Resource Thomas Kenga who was promoted twice in grade 11 to 13 in spite of having joined the university less than five years ago.

He has since resigned and joined Kenya Ferry Services Limited as Head of Human Resources.