This archive report was first published on 4 December 2019.
Mara Heist: Whistleblower's Life in Limbo ¶
It has been three months since the explosive Mara Heist corruption expose aired on Citizen TV, but no suspect has been arrested or charged with any crime.
Whistleblower Spencer Sankale and his colleagues continue to live in fear, despite applying for witness protection from the state.
Spencer Sankale, a certified accountant, recorded video, audio, and document evidence of his boss and the then Vice Chancellor of Maasai Mara University, Professor Mary Walingo, systematically siphoning taxpayers' money.
When we first met Spencer and his colleagues from the university, all four men applied for witness protection from the state.
One of the four men, Wilberforce Kipruto Serem, the acting Deputy Finance Officer at Maasai Mara University, revealed that he had gone into hiding after the story aired, feeling insecure and threatened.
"I was code-named John, but now there is no need to hide anymore. I think Kenyans should know who I am," said Serem.
Despite applying for witness protection, Serem and his colleagues do not feel safe, with Serem revealing that he feels like he is being followed every time he leaves the office in the evening.
"I would hear rumors from my colleagues that the former VC, Ng'ombe Kubwa, was seen around Narok. I feel that I can be attacked every time," said Serem.
Professor Mary Walingo, her driver Abdi Noor Hassan, and Finance Officer Anaclet Biket Okumu are still earning full salaries, despite being implicated in the Mara Heist.
"A whole cartel that is working until now and is determined that my life and the other Kenyans who were very courageous and honest to come out and explain what happened. The threats are covert and overt," said Spencer.
Spencer Sankale and Wilberforce Kipruto Serem are left in limbo, with Spencer saying that he does not regret blowing the whistle, but feeling like giving up due to the slow process of the investigation.
"I regret nothing. Even if today I had to do it again I would. Once you have taken a position you are to hold it in trust and not abuse it for personal gain. I would still blow the whistle on anyone abusing public funds," said Spencer.
As the back and forth continues, the question remains: has the system failed these Kenyans who put everything on the line to get out the truth?
