Egerton University Vice Chancellor Prof. Rose Awori Mwonya has been suspended pending investigations into procurement malpractices, a students’ scholarship scandal among other numerous allegations of mismanagement.
At the same time members of the University Council have appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs Prof. Alexander Kahi to act in the position until internal investigations into Prof. Mwonya’s conduct are completed.
Yesterday Prof. Kahi confirmed to journalists that he has received a letter from the council directing him to act as the vice chancellor of the university.
“I have a letter from the council signed by Mr. Joshua Otieno, one of the council members directing me to act as the Vice Chancellor,” Kahi said without divulging any further details.
The suspension of Mwonya was long overdue following numerous complaints from representatives of university workers who wrote several letters to the council accusing her mismanagement of funds, misplaced priorities, lack of visions for the univeristy among other issues.
Mwonya is accused of authorizing construction of a Sh70 million gate at the Njoro campus, which was never a priority for the institution that was facing serious financial problems.
Under her watch, the university authorized the construction of an electric fence at the cost of Sh44 million, which has never worked since its installation about an year ago. She is also facing allegations of pumping a whopping Sh180 million on the institution’s Ngongongeri farm in Njoro, with no returns.
The stroke that broke the camel back was the scandal involving scholarship for students, which was allegedly orchestrated by one senior official at the university with the full knowledge of the vice chancellor.
The lawyer also told the court that Mr Mutwe’s family did not know his whereabouts since his arrest on August 25 at Kamwokya, Ssemakokiro Plaza in Kampala.