Masai Mara Heist Whistleblowers Should Be Protected

The whistleblower of this case that saw the Vice-Chancellor among other Maasai Mara University officials charged for misappropriation of funds in 2020, has undergone what immensely discourages most individuals from reporting corruption, and acts of reprisal.

Whistleblowers in Kenya have historically faced retaliation through harassment, dismissal from employment, threats to their lives, and actual violence. Many recall the story of the late David Munyakei, the whistleblower in the Goldenberg scandal. He eventually lost his job at the Central Bank of Kenya and died destitute, his family living from hand to mouth long before and long after his demise.

Sankale’s ‘summary dismissal’ most curiously by the Chair of the University Council, proffers us a deep moment of reflection on what needs to be done to strengthen witness and whistleblower protection. Kenya still lacks a comprehensive policy and legislative whistleblower protection framework in place, even to ensure that brave individuals like Spencer, who risk their lives and those of their families, enjoy robust protection from all forms of retaliation for coming forth to report corruption or bear witness to ensure perpetrators are convicted and resources lost are recovered.

This has come 6 days to when  the world is called upon to remember and celebrate valiant individuals who risk life and limb to come forth to disclose information about corruption, misconduct, illegal activity, or other wrongdoings, famously known as World Whistleblowing Day

Bitter Kenyans want the whistleblowers to be reinstated and the acting VC to be thrown out.