The drama surrounding the appointment of Acting Maasai Mara University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kitche Magak continues to unfold as it is now threatening to turn into a vicious court battle.
Activist Suyianka Lempaa has filed a case in court challenging the appointment of Prof. Magak as the acting Vice-chancellor, arguing that the don is unqualified for the position.
The petitioner has further accused Prof. Magak of using a ‘fake’ PhD certificate to get employed as the acting VC.
The petition is in relation to the PhD degree the vice-chancellor acquired from Washington International University in the US.
In his petition, Lempaa wants the court to issue conservatory orders stopping the appointment of Prof. Magak as the university’s acting VC.
“Pending hearing and determination of this application and petition, a conservatory order be issued prohibiting Maasai Mara University Council from further extending the appointment of Prof. Magak as acting Vice-Chancellor in contravention of section 26 of the Maasai Mara University Charter.”
The petitioner noted that the unprocedural appointment of Prof. Magak had put the lives of students and staff in danger.
“Prof. Magak’s continued occupation of the said office is detrimental to the welfare and rights of thousands of students and staff in the said university (Maasai Mara) and unless urgent remedial measures are undertaken, the students and other stakeholders are likely to suffer irreparable damage.
Lempaa now wants the court to compel the university council to remove the acting VC and appoint a new one as per the constitutional process of recruiting and appointing public officers.
Prior to his appointment, Prof. Magak was a full-time lecturer in the Department of Literature.
In a letter seen by Continental TV editorial, from the State of Hawaii department of education written to the International Center for Academic Integrity, Washington International University was closed down in 2015 for failing to comply with educational standards.
The letter further states that the institution only offered diploma courses and is no longer existing.
In September 2021, the International Center for Academic Integrity wrote a letter to Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha over the academic misconduct of Prof. Kitche Magak and for holding a fake PHD degree.
It is not clear why the Ministry of Education has not taken action against Prof. Magak even when investigations have revealed that his PHD degree is invalid.
