Uasu officials call for investigation of public universities over 'missing' funds

Union officials during a meeting at the Moi University School of Medicine in Eldoret on July 30, 2013. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | FILE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The Association of Public Universities of Kenya has denied Uasu's claims, insisting that the money had been used for the intended purpose

By Gabriel Kudaka
More by this Author

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has been asked to launch investigations into the alleged misappropriation of Sh7.8 billion by administrators of public universities meant for paying salaries and allowances to lecturers and non-academic staff.

Unions representing the employees are calling for the prosecution of vice-chancellors of the universities and principals of constituent colleges who they accuse of diverting the money for other purposes.

The officials are now threatening to marshal all union members for a nationwide strike should the administrators fail to pay out the funds. The Association of Public Universities of Kenya has denied Uasu's claims, insisting that the money had been used for the intended purpose. (READ: Lecturers got their money, say public varsity chiefs)

The Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) Chairman - Moi University chapter, Dr Musalia Edebe, said the administrators ought to carry responsibility and face the law for subjecting their employees to financial difficulties yet they have been allocated allowances by the government.

Dr Edebe tabled documents appearing to contradict claims by the Association of Universities of Kenya that money meant for paying union members had not been channelled elsewhere.

Prof Alexander Okoth, the Uasu national trustee, said EACC has to move in to ensure the administrators in all the public universities are held accountable.

The union members vowed to go on strike unless they were paid the money in full. (READ: Lecturers threaten strike over pay