Members of South Eastern Kenya University (Seku) Council face grilling by anti-graft detectives this week over several questionable decisions that have caused uproar across the country.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has summoned the University council to explain the basis and justification of awarding the outgoing Vice-Chancellor Prof Geoffrey Muluvi a hefty send-off package, contrary to the law.

The university had been advised by both the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and the Public Service Commission against the move but chose to ignore the various advisories to award Prof Muluvi a mouth-watering exit package.

Prof Muluvi’s term as Seku Vice Chancellor ended on May 20 and has been earning the questionable emoluments which he used to enjoy while in office for the last four months.

The benefits include a basic salary of Sh744,078 per month, frozen to self, meaning the package is only specially negotiated to him, with other allowances cumulatively amounting to more than Sh1.4 million.
The anti-graft body is keen to ensure public funds under the watch of the University council which may have been used to convey undeserved benefit to the outgoing VC are recovered.

According to EACC manager for Lower Eastern Region Japheth Baithalu, the commission will surcharge the university council members individually for any monies illegally paid to Prof Muluvi since he left office in May.

Baithalu confirmed that they were investigating abuse of office offenses by both the former VC and the University Council, with the latter facing questioning why they members deliberately overlooked the law and ignored established government policies. The Council discussed Prof Muluvi’s retirement package during its 81st Special Full Council meeting held on April 3, at the main campus Kwa-Vonza in Kitui County.

The members ignored an advisory they sought from SRC which categorically stated that the job of vice chancellor is contractual and that it was illegal to continue paying him the salary of an expired contract.
The University Council does not have a substantive chair after the exit of Dr Swabah Ahmed Omar but members met under the chairmanship of Michael Kipkirui.

Those who attended and who are lined up for grilling by EACC include Amb Prof David Kikaya, Isaac Gitahi Thuita, Esther Ndirangu, Lydia Mwikali Kaleli and Amb Dr Koki Muli.