Garissa University College’s former principal, Francis Jackim Mulaa, was on Tuesday charged with abuse of office in a controversial student hostel project during the 2013–2014 financial year.
Mulaa appeared before Milimani Anti-Corruption Court Magistrate Isabellah Barasa, where he pleaded not guilty of the charges and was freed on a KSh 500,000 bond or an alternative cash bail of KSh 50,000.
The case is about the construction of a 750-bed student hostel in the institution, a project that was initiated when he was in office, which at the time was a constituent college of Moi University
According to investigators, Prof. Mulaa pushed through the project despite red flags raised by officials regarding its planning and procurement.
Documents presented in court allege that the professor introduced the project to the University College Council along with architectural designs that had not been vetted or approved by the government’s Ministry of Public Works.
Despite concerns raised by some department heads, Prof. Mulaa went ahead and awarded a project management contract to Archipoint Consulting Architects on April 24, 2014, sidestepping the competitive tendering process required by public procurement laws.
Investigators also found that a representative from Archipoint took part in the tender evaluation process without formal appointment, effectively holding dual roles, a move that violates procurement regulations.
Prof. Mulaa was charged with abuse of office in contravention of section 46 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act. August 19, 2025 was fixed for a virtual pre-trial hearing.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which headed the investigations, has maintained it is dedicated to ensuring accountability in the running of public institutions.