Call for Prof. Siamba’s appointment takes a nasty corruption turn…

Kibabii University has of late seen enough battles surrounding the appointment of the institution’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration, Finance and Development). The war of words at one time almost matured into a demonstration as organised by BUNGOMA COUNTY RESIDENTS (BCR) led by John Muchele… a demonstration that never saw the light of day courtesy #Covid-19 guidelines and persuasion from among other leaders politicians who prefered waiting for a contrary appointment before doing any demo. BCR insists that Prof. Siamba has been acting in the said position for the last 12 months and natural justice demands that he is confirmed in the position.

Today, the push to have Prof. Siamba appointed took a very nasty turn that saw mentions of high level corruption within the institution as being the main reason to deny the only LUHYA on the THE KIBABII UNIVERSITY COUNCIL an opportunity to serve as DVC.

A copy of the letter addressed to the institution’s VC reads…

Among the highlighted issues are;

1. Corruption allegation are laid as follows;

1. 1. There is corruption in the award of tenders an example being award of Security services and cleaning services to a couple from Thika, which can be traced to the Chairman of the university council. The Baaps company that is running the security services and Ice clean company belong to a couple from Thika and the awards to the couple was influenced by the chairman of the university council who fears that Prof. Siamba may come and correct the corruption by the university council and procurement department.
   2. The Composition of the University Council is unconstitutional for not observing the one third gender rule (only one female out of nine members) and the council has no representation from the Luhya Community and has over representation from Kikuyu and Luo communities (refer to the attached list). As Bungoma residents, we are demanding for the dissolution of the Kibabii University Council for fresh appointment as per the law.
   3. The university council is against anybody from the local community. A case in point is refusing to confirm Prof. Siamba and a case where Mr. Butali was victimized wrongly by bringing an audit firm specialized in Finance to audit Human Resource to accuse Mr. Butali because he is a local. This made one Council member by name Harriet to swop with Mr. Wambua. That was a scheme to lock out locals from the community in the university council so that the university council can do all forms of corruption with impunity.
   4. The Vice Chancellor with the influence of the Council Chairman appointed Ms. Martha Konje as Chairperson of Biological Sciences Department who has no PhD to qualify to be a senior lecturer as per the Kibabii University Statute XXXI (1). The Vice Chancellor and the University Council fears that this will not happen if Prof. Siamba who has integrity is confirmed. The rule of law must be observed in all appointments.
   5. One University Council Member Mr. Asunah was sacked as Director in Kisumu County together with Prof. Obonyo (Registrar, PPRI) as CECM in Kisumu County. Mr. Asunah being on the university Council influenced the appointment of Prof. Obonyo as Registrar (PPRI). This is officers whose integrity is at question but serving in the top governance and administration of the university.

A copy of the letter;  John W. Muchele to VC Kibabii University 26-05-2020 #iKUWEiKUWE COPY

2. Prof. Siamba is the ONLY Luhya in the institution’s Council (See table below)

KIBABII UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

MEMBERS OF THE KIBABII UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

1. 1. 1. Ernest Mwangi Njoroge –         Chairman –      KIKUYU

      2. Joyce Wanjiru Ngure –            Member –         KIKUYU

      3. Francis Asunah –                    Member –          LUO

      4. Michael Jasper Obonyo –  Member –        LUO
      5. Tom Mboya Wambua –     Member –        KAMBA
      6. Mwaka Mungatana –        Member –       TAITA
      7. Hussein Abdi Farah –       Member –        SOMALI
      8. Vincent Nyabiosi –           Member –        KISII
      9. Isaac Ipara –                  Secretary –      TESO

TOP MANAGEMENT MEMBERS

1. 1. 1. Isaac Ipara – Vice Chancellor –                                           TESO
      2. Benedict Mutua – Deputy Vice Chancellor (PPRI) –                KAMBA
      3. Julius Kimaiyo – Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (ASA) –             KALENJIN
      4. Donald Siamba – Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (AFD) –            LUHYA

SUMMARY BY TRIBE

Kikuyu –         2

Luo  –              2

Kamba –          2

Taita –              1

Somalia –         1

Kisii –              1

Teso –              1

Kalenjin –        1

Luhya –           1

Remaining 32 tribes – Zero (0)

SUMMARY BY GENDER

Female –          1

Male –             11

John Muchele’s closing remarks read…

These are just a few cases of corruption at Kibabii University that the University Council having the Vice Chancellor as their Secretary fear confirmation of Prof. Siamba a person of integrity. As residents, we are not interested in the bribes of handouts, jericans, masks, soap or sanizers. Our only interest for now is a confirmation letter of Prof. Donald Namasaka Siamba as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration, Finance and Development) then later bring those items because we urgently need that at this time of Corona.