Man who lifted lid on corruption at the Masai Mara University sacked

Spencer Sankale, the Chief Finance Officer at the Maasai Mara University, who unearthed graft at the institution two years ago, has been sacked. A dismissal letter that surfaced today indicated that the whistleblower was being let go over gross misconduct.

Spencer was one of four staff members who sounded the alarm in Citizen TV’s investigative piece Mara Heist back in 2019.

He was thrust into the public eye in September 2019, when he featured in Citizen TV’s explosive investigative report ‘Mara Heist.’

Two years later though, Maasai Mara University’s Chief Finance Officer Spencer Sankale Ololchike, famed for whistleblowing the wanton graft at the institution, is out of a job.

A dismissal letter dated June 17, 2021 and signed by the institution’s council Chairman Dr. Kennedy Ole Kerei levelled nine allegations against Spencer.

Following Spencer’s appearance before the University Council last September and two other meetings the body concluded that he had continued with what it termed as ‘actions of gross misconduct.’

The nine offences the council cited to justify its decision to summarily terminate Spencer’s employment, included: ‘Sustained insolence to the employer, cyberbullying, malicious representation, libel, defamation and falsely maligning the image and reputation of the University.’

The letter further indicated that he would be paid a one month’s salary in lieu of notice.

Spencer was among the university staff members who blew the whistle on alleged Ksh190 million misappropriation of funds by the Vice Chancellor Prof Mary Walingo and her administration, in Citizen TV’s 2019 expose.

Walingo was eventually suspended over the matter and later charged alongside her deputies Simon Kasaine Ole Seno (Administration), John Almadi Obare (Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, Finance), Anaclet Biket Okumu, (Finance) and her driver Noor Hassan Abdi.