MPs on Wednesday put to task Moi University vice chancellor Prof Isaac Kosgey over what they termed "irregular lease of half of the institution's land to a private investor".
The VC was at pains to explain how 1,500 acres of the 3,000 acres belonging to the university in Eldoret found itself in private hands.
The land in question has been ploughed by the unnamed developer, who has not paid a coin to the university.
Kosgey was appearing before the National Assembly’s Public Investment Committee on Governance and Education chaired by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka.
The VC told the MPs the university is yet to receive a shilling for the five and a half-year deal despite the developer taking ownership.
In the agreement, the university was to be paid Sh16,500 per acre per year, translating to Sh24.7 million for one year.
For the five and half years of the lease period, the company was to pay slightly over Sh120 million.
“We got a directive from the Office of the President through Head of Public Service Felix Koskei that we surrender all the land that was being underutilised,” Kosgey told the House team.
“Following the directive, we convened the council meeting and they approved.”
But the lawmakers disputed the narrative, raising a number of grey areas in the deal while accusing the VC of protecting the investors.
Wamboka demanded full disclosure on the directors behind the company.
“Is it normal for a policy issue to cover only one or two universities?” the Bumula MP posed.
“You have been a VC since 2018, you cannot say you are not aware of the directors of the company.”
Central Imenti MP Moses Kirima accused the VC of misleading the committee and disclosing that the leasing came way before the tendering process.
The Kenya Kwanza lawmaker also demanded the faces behind the company unmasked so Kenyans know the real culprits behind what they see as “the grabbing of the university land”.
“Being part of this Kenya Kwanza, some things are not very pleasing. We are jumping from one scandal to another,” Kirima said.
“In the Lands Committee, they [Moi University] are saying the land was occupied before leasing.”
Kilome MP Nzambia Kithua stormed out of the meeting, saying he cannot withstand "lies" from the VC.
“I am uncomfortable sitting here, I don’t listen to lies,” he said before walking out.
Narok Woman Representative Rebecca Noonaishi demanded that the committee summons Head of Public Service Koskei to explain the directive.
The VC was directed to furnish the committee with all documentation surrounding the leasing and number of bids received.
The university was also instructed to provide details of the directors of the company in the next meeting.