Form four leaver was not our lecturer, claims University

Maasai Mara University has refuted claims that David Bungei, a grounds attendant, was hired as a lecturer at their Kilgoris learning centre.

The high school leaver, while appearing before Employment and Labour Relation Court in Nakuru, claimed he recruited and lectured students and also supervised lecturers at the university.

He claimed he conducted recruitment of 21 lecturers for the institution between 2012 and 2013.

The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Mary Walingo, however said the management assumed office in January 2014 when Bungei was already on suspension over “gross misconduct”.

Prof Walingo wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Dr Fred Matiang’i, in February 2016 stating; “Bungei was re-deployed to Kilgoris Learning Centre by the Acting Registrar. He was later re-deployed back to the main campus in September 2013 where he was assigned duties and supervised by the Deputy Principal, Academic Affairs”.

While at the centre, Bungei is said to have been operating a private business using the university’s name. He allegedly issued 10 fake computer package certificates purporting they had been issued by the university.

“The fake certificates issued by him are not from Maasai Mara University. Our certificates have the requisite unique security features that cannot be forged,” stated the Registrar’s office.

The learning centre was opened by the varsity to offer diplomas and certificates in Early Childhood Education, and Bungei, 39, was deployed to help sensitise the community around to apply for the course.

“No degrees, masters or PhDs are offered there. It is unclear how Bungei ended up in the office, and at no point was he allowed to lecture”, an official in the university told The Nairobian.

A letter from Samson Kisirkoi who was an acting administration registrar deployed the grade C holder to the centre. Kisirkoi has reportedly been suspended.

Prof Walingo told Matiang’i the centre was no longer viable and they are in process of closing it.