Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University In Ksh2.6B Fraud: EACC Probing Illegal Graduation Of 200 Students
University officials at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University allegedly colluded with consultants and contractors to defraud the university of the said amount of money in the implementation of six capital projects.
Marvin Chege 
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched investigations into a sensational Ksh2.6 billion fraud scheme which has rocked Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County.
According to EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi, university officials at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University allegedly colluded with consultants and contractors to defraud the university of the said amount of money in the implementation of six capital projects.
He revealed on Monday, November 25 that payments for those projects have already been made. However, those projects are not yet complete.
"Notably, these payments have already been done despite the projects being incomplete," Ngumbi said on Monday during the burial of Mama Joyce Oginde, mother to the EACC chairperson Bishop David Oginde in Ugenya constituency.
EACC offices at Integrity Centre in Nairobi. /FILE
The EACC spokesperson also disclosed that investigations are underway regarding the recent graduation where it is alleged that some university officials received bribes to facilitate the graduation of over 200 unqualified students.
"These students, instead of sitting for supplementary examinations, colluded with university officials to bribe their way into the graduation list," Ngumbi added while stating that corruption and unethical conduct have found their way into the Kenyan universities thereby compromising and threatening the quality and standards of education in the country.
In response to the eye-popping corruption allegations, a search operation was conducted in the homesteads of the former Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Gaya Agong’ in Homa Bay, Kisumu and Nairobi.
In the process, it was noted that he carried all the original documents relating to the six capital projects when he retired.
He stated however that the EACC was able to retrieve all those documents and is using them to finalize those investigations.
Ngumbi also revealed that a total of 18 public universities including Moi University and the University of Nairobi are under investigation for theft of public funds, unethical conduct and academic fraud.
In the case of Moi University, its Vice-Chancellor Isaac Kosgey had appeared before EACC following a summons. He is being investigated by EACC over allegations of embezzlement of public funds amounting to Ksh2.2 billion.
After his grilling, which lasted over 8 hours, Kosgey said he had addressed the issues raised by EACC and that he respects their work.
It emerged that the institution is grappling with significant debts exceeding Ksh8 billion, which have led to disruptions in learning activities due to strikes by lecturers and staff protesting against the administration’s handling of financial matters.
Moi University administration block. /MOI UNIVERSITY
