NAIROBI, Kenya, May 18 — The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has intensified investigations into the controversial appointment of Dr. Ezekiel Chirchir Kipkoech as Director of Procurement at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), amid renewed scrutiny over his past graft-related court cases and integrity record.

📻 Breaking It Down

The widening probe has placed the university’s leadership under pressure, with Vice Chancellor Prof. Solomon Shibairo appearing before EACC investigators at the Commission’s Western Regional Offices in Bungoma on Friday to provide information on the recruitment process that led to Dr. Kipkoech’s appointment.

The University Council, chaired by Dr. Pamela Sitienei, is accused of irregularly recruiting Dr. Kipkoech to the influential procurement position despite concerns over his previous legal troubles and suitability to hold public office.

The latest developments follow a formal notice issued by the Commission under Section 27(3) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA), compelling Prof. Shibairo to surrender documents and information related to the recruitment exercise.

📌 What You Need to Know

“The Commission has reason to believe that you, Prof. Solomon Shibairo, Vice Chancellor of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, are in possession of the said documents, and that you have failed or neglected to comply with the requirement to avail the same to the Commission,” part of the notice stated.

According to documents reviewed by investigators, the Commission flagged several integrity concerns relating to Dr. Kipkoech’s record, including previous prosecutions over alleged procurement irregularities in public institutions.

In one of the cases, Dr. Kipkoech was charged alongside others before the Kericho Law Courts in Anti-Corruption Case No. 1 of 2015 with fraudulent practices in procurement proceedings contrary to Section 41(4), as read with Section 137 of the Public Procurement and Disposal Act (PPDA), 2005, and abuse of office contrary to Section 46, as read with Section 48(a) of ACECA, 2003.

The case stemmed from alleged procurement irregularities in the purchase of ambulance services for the County Government of Bomet.

He was convicted and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.

However, the conviction was later overturned on appeal in Kericho Criminal Appeal No. 23 of 2017 on technical grounds.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya