Graft agency probes VC’s hefty exit pay

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is now seeking documents and information on what it termed as a hefty exit package of the former South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) Vice Chancellor Prof Geoffrey Muluvi.

In a letter to SEKU acting VC, the EACC Lower Eastern regional office asked the university to facilitate investigations by providing original or certified copies of at least ten documents.

“Please provide us with original and or certified copies of minutes of the 81st special sitting of the university council meeting, all minutes of committee and full board meetings held to deliberate on exit package/benefits to Prof Muluvi,” read a letter addressed to the acting SEKU Vice Chancellor, Prof Francis Wachira.

EACC is also seeking all correspondence to Prof Muluvi communicating the decision by the council in respect to his exit package and other benefits available to him, including terms of service for the VC as per the Inter Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) of 2013.

They also want all procurement documents relating to a holiday trip organised for Muluvi to Zanzibar, appointment and renewal of contract letters for Prof Muluvi as Vice Chancellor and his pay slips for the period between January and October this year, among other documents.

In a separate letter, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) said its advise was not sought as required by law prior to conferment of the remuneration and benefits during sabbatical leave.
Sabbatical leave

“Therefore, any remuneration and benefits awarded while on sabbatical leave is in contravention of Article 230 (4)(b) of the Constitution. Any payment of remuneration and benefits to the former Vice Chancellor while on sabbatical leave is recoverable,” said SRC in the advisory dated October 6.

SRC also said the Commission’s advice was not sought as required by the law prior to being awarded the holiday package and any payment made in relation to this is recoverable.

Similarly, SRC said it guides that the universities to comply with the Commission’s advice that Vice Chancellors, Deputy Vice Chancellors and Principals of Constituent Colleges who take up teaching upon lapse of their contracts, be remunerated as per the existing terms and conditions of service of the lecturing jobs of respective universities as the Commission has previously advised.

Accumulated leave days

On accumulated leave days, SRC said that non-utilised should not be commuted to cash in line with the Head of Public Service’s circular issued last month.

“The purpose of this letter, therefore is to reiterate the need of obtaining advise from SRC before conferring any remuneration and benefits to any public officer,” SRC stated.

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