Moi University- A damning scheme allegedly orchestrated by Moi University Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) of Finance, Prof. Daniel Tarus, and the National Bank of Kenya (NBK), has brought the institution’s financial mismanagement into sharp focus. Insider accounts and documents reveal a coordinated effort to siphon millions from university funds, leaving the institution on the brink of financial collapse.
The Fraudulent Operation
The scheme revolved around the Moi University Nairobi Campus Staff Welfare Association account, held at NBK’s Moi Avenue branch. Tuition fees paid by students via banker’s cheques were deposited into this welfare account instead of university accounts. The funds were then allegedly redistributed among complicit staff and NBK officials, with millions if not billions being misappropriated.
Reports suggest that Prof. Tarus directed finance and IT staff to falsify student records, erasing any evidence of unpaid fees and concealing the fraud. This manipulation not only violated trust but severely impacted the institution’s financial integrity.
Missing Parking Fees
Compounding the scandal, parking fees collected from a prime plot in Nairobi’s central business district—owned by Moi University—remain unaccounted for. These funds, reportedly under the control of Prof. Tarus and Dr. Bernard K. Malakwen, Acting Nairobi Campus Director, add another layer to the web of misappropriation.
Calls for Accountability
Outraged stakeholders are urging Kenya’s DCI and DPP to investigate and prosecute the individuals involved. Among those implicated are:
- Prof. Daniel Tarus (DVC Finance)
- Dr. Bernard K. Malakwen (Acting Nairobi Campus Director)
- Senior officials from NBK’s Moi Avenue branch
The alleged collusion has left Moi University’s financial stability in tatters, with the institution unable to meet critical obligations. The scandal also raises questions about NBK’s internal controls, as trusted tellers and branch managers were reportedly complicit in the fraudulent activities.
A Crisis of Integrity
This saga highlights the urgent need for reforms within Moi University and greater oversight of public institutions. Stakeholders demand that those responsible be held to account to restore public confidence and ensure the university fulfills its mission as a center of learning and research.
The spotlight now falls on law enforcement and judicial agencies to act swiftly and decisively. Will justice prevail, or will this be another case swept under the rug? Time will tell, but the urgency to act is undeniable.
