Since he was bundled out as the University of Nairobi, Peter Mbithi has been finding the going rough with friends deserting him in droves at the hour of need. Mbithi has completely lost weight and has watery eyes as he keeps on drinking heavily. Mbithi, who in his heyday used to have dozens of mean looking bodyguards paid for by the university accompany him wherever he went, now walks alone and even drives himself.At times with one aide said to be a relative.
The former vice-chancellor has been deserted by the high and mighty who used to frequent his office and official residence when he was at the helm of the most prestigious institution of learning in Kenya. Those who no longer pick his calls include William Ruto whom Mbithi helped get a doctorate degree that generated a lot of controversy during his tenure as VC. Mbithi, a source said, has been trying to secure an appointment with the deputy president in vain to lobby to be appointed an ambassador but the mean looking Recce officers at the DP’s official residence in Karen and Harambee Annex have denied him entry.
The DP also has his own problems with Uhuru Kenyatta, who has sidelined him in running state affairs. Prof Mbithi has now been telling whoever cares to listen that he awarded Ruto a multimillion security tender through his Lavington Security Company which the deputy president coowns with former Baringo Central MP Sammy Mwaita but like the ungrateful donkey that kicks its master, the DP has turned his back on him. In his heyday Mbithi would drive to Ruto’s official residence in Karen anytime but now guards have been ordered not to allow him in.
Matters have further been complicated for the professor of Veterinary Medicine by an ongoing probe by the Ethics and AntiCorruption Commission on how he allegedly misused university funds starting right from when he was deputy vice-Chancellor for finance and administration. As DVC, Mbithi signed off Sh10 million which was used to furnish his house along Mandera Road. He approved the budget on December 19 2014 on a letter signed by the then acting estate manager Lucy Gachara dated December 18 2014.
The matter is now being probed by EACC. Further, EACC is probing another scandal where Mbithi bought furniture and equipment for his office at a cost of Sh20 million. The sleuths are also investigating the construction of Mbithi’s residence in Karen valued at Sh200 million. The purchase was done allegedly without following procurement procedures. EACC is relying on documents presented to them by the Universities Academic Staff Union which state that the project was undertaken using university’s labour with its vehicles used to deliver materials. According to sources, the EACC is finalising investigations and it is just a matter of time before Mbithi’s bank accounts are frozen.
The EACC, sources added, is also relying on the Auditor General’s reports which unmask how Mbithi misused university funds and the tricks he used to cover his tracks. The investigations, once complete, will result in Mbithi being charged with abuse of office. One report the sleuths are relying on is the financial statement as at June 2018 where the University had liabilities of Sh5,724,377,000 while assets stood at Sh4,288,628 resulting in a negative working capital of Sh1,435,749,000.
The university was unable to meet its financial obligations and was unable to remit Paye of Sh282 million, NSSF Sh3 million, NHIF Sh10 million, Chuna Sacco Sh204 million and Helb Sh1.5 billion. Upon scrutiny, the sleuths have found unprocedural payments Mbithi made which point to abuse of office. Mbithi was also known to make irregular appointments like the one where a professor who knew nothing about engineering and allied professions was named principal of the University of Nairobi’s engineering college.
Mbithi was accused of nepotism and practicing tribalism when he was at the helm at the prestigious institution. Mbithi even curses the current university council chaired by Julia Ojiambo for swindling him millions to renew his contract only for them to backtrack while celebrating in Mombasa.
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