Form four leaver admits he recruited and lectured students at Maasai Mara University for two years

David Bungei a form four leaver who claims to have recruited students and lectured classes at Narok University.

NAKURU: A Form four leaver shocked the Employment and Labour Relation Court sitting in Nakuru when he revealed how he recruited students and lectured classes at the Maasai Mara University.

David Bungei told Justice Stephen Radido that he also played a major role in supervising lecturers for two academic semesters before his services were irregularly terminated.

Bungei said he sat for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) at Ndalat High in Uasin Ngishu in 1996 and attained a mean grade of C (plain).

He operated a butchery for 13 years in Narok town as well as working as a tractor driver before he was temporarily employed by the University in May 2009.

Thirteen months later, in July 2010, because of his outstanding performance, the employer appointed him as a grounds attendant, a capacity he served in until April 2012.

In a letter of appointment signed by Deputy Principal Administration and Finance, Prof. Gerald Kimani, the 39-year-old was to receive a month salary of Sh16, 374 and a house allowance of Sh10, 325.

A second letter signed by the University acting registrar (administration), Samson Kisirkoi, shows that Bungei was deployed to Kilgoris learning Centre to assist in recruitment of students in the new Centre.

"This is to inform you that it has been decided that you be deployed to Kilgoris learning Centre to assist in recruitment of students in the new Centre. You will also be expected to be sending reports to the registrar academic affairs for necessary action," reads the internal memo, also copied to deputy principals.

Two years later, another internal memo was dispatched to his new work station, this time round from deputy principal academic affairs Prof Joseph Chacha, instructing him and four other staff to forward a part-time teaching load to him.

"As a matter of agency forward to my office, the part-time teaching load (both internal and external part-time) for May-September 2012 session to enable appointment letters of part-time teaching to be done," reads the memo dated, October 2012.

Further it explained, "Declaration of teaching workload form should be used in indicating the units taught. They should be duly filled and signed by chairperson of the departmental and the dean of school".

But like the way the miracle came, the employer terminated his services at the institution in February, 2014.

His lawyer Joshia Oumo urged the court to not only uphold his constitutional rights but also to consider a review for all the certificates he oversaw during his tenure.

Justice Radido who is expected to deliver a judgment on the same in July 15, 2016 demanded to know from the University if indeed the hundreds of certificates issued to unsuspecting students had been recalled.

"Given that the University has realized that some certificates had been irregularly issued is there any attempt to recall such, by placing and advertisement in a local daily?" He asked.

Among the courses he assisted to establish included, Masters in Education Administration, Degree in Education, Diploma in Education, Degree in Business Management, Diploma in Community Development and Social Work and several certificates.

"For the record, I sat and oversaw the recruitment of 21 lecturers for two academic years 2012/2013. Exams were marked and successful students awarded dully signed certificates after completion of their areas of specialization," said Bungei.

While appearing before a disciplinary committee at the University's boardroom chaired by Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof Simon Ole Seno, the panel noted with concern that the administration erred in sending Bungei to the learning Centre.

He was required to defend himself against charges of improper guidance to students, unlawful and fraudulent teaching and awarding of certificates as well as misuse of petty cash.

The committee noted that Bungei, apart from allegedly charging Sh10, 000 for certificates in Information Technology, the certificates awarded had his signature.

"Bungei was guilty of the offenses. However, the management was to blame owing to the appointment letter which gave him duties beyond his capability," the committee said in the verdict.

But in mitigation, Bungei admitted collecting fees but said he used the money because the then Deputy vice chancellor Samson Kisirkoi failed to approve the imprest he had requested.

"I used the money to accommodate lecturers, buy chairs and blackboards. But I recruited students hence did not neglect duty," he argued.

However, reacting on the claims, Kisirkoi argued there was nothing wrong in the complainant ascending the employment ladder.

"It is not impossible for a hardworking driver to become a company's chief Executive Officer and the case at hand is not unique," said Kisirkoi when confronted.

Angered by his master's act, the 39-year-old went back to the institution and enrolled in Diploma in Public administration and is now pursuing a degree course on the same.