This archive report was first published on 10 November 2019.
Corruption and Ethnic Imbalance at University of Kabianga ¶
Published on November 10, 2019
The University of Kabianga, located in Kabianga Division, Kericho County, has been plagued by tender wars, tribalism, and corruption, which have severely impacted its academic standards and infrastructural development.
According to an audit report by the outgoing Auditor General Edward Ouko, the university has been involved in a range of dubious deals, with the masterminds of these deals being individuals who speak the same language, specifically Kalenjin.
The university's management board is dominated by Kalenjins, with 8 out of 11 members being from the same ethnic group. This ethnic imbalance is evident in the university's leadership, with Prof Wilson Kipngeno, a Kalenjin, serving as the Vice-Chancellor.
Prof Kipngeno is accompanied by other Kalenjin leaders, including Prof Eric Koech, CPA Willy Koech, Ms Janet Nankui, Dr. Cecillia Sang, Mr. Kipkoech Kimalel, Dr. Rev Edwin Too, and Mr. Geoffrey Sowek. The only non-Kalenjin members of the management board are Prof Elijah Omwenga, Prof Maurice Oduor, and Ms Ayuma Robai.
The university's directors section is also dominated by Kalenjins, with Dr. Janet Kombich, Mr. Kipkirui Rono, Dr. Erick Mibei, Dr. Hellen Sang, Dr. Andrew Kipkosgey, Prof Joash Kibett, and Mr. Geoffrey Sowek being from the same ethnic group.
One of the most recent controversies surrounding the university is the sh1.2 billion construction tender, which has been awarded to a company associated with Gatundu MP Moses Kuria. Irate professionals from the Rift Valley region have alleged that Kuria's company was awarded the tender at the expense of qualified Bomet County contractors.
The university's 7th graduation ceremony was marred by a range of issues, including a grammatical error in communication targeting fourth-year students. Students from other universities have referred to Kabianga as a 'localized university' due to its ineptitude.
