By Obegi Malack
@obegimalack
The Employment and Labour Relations Court has ordered reinstatement of the embattled Kenyatta University VC Prof. Paul Wainaina who was suspended after failing to surrender land title deeds for a government project.
The court issued a temporary order restricting suspension, termination or dismissal of the VC until a case filed by his lawyer Manwa Hosea to prevent his dismissal is heard and determined.
Petitioning through his lawyer, the VC argued that the Head of Public Service acted against the law. “The Head of Public Service continues to act in a manner that completely flouts the provisions of law on the rights of the applicant and continues to breach his rights to fair labour practices,” Hosea told the court.
Justice Jacob Gakeri certified the matter urgent ordering that the case be brought before any judge on July 28 for a hearing involving the two parties
“Pending the hearing and determination of this application inter-parties, this honourable court is pleased to issue a temporary order suspending the implementation of the decision contained in the letter dated July 12 by Professor Crispus Kiamba into suspending, terminating and/or dismissing the petitioner from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, rendering his position vacant and/or revoking his salary,” he ruled. Prof. Kiamba had appointed Prof. Waceke Wanjohi to replace Prof.Wainaina.
The VC had gone to court through his lawyer Manwa Hosea to prevent his dismissal arguing that his sacking is a preserve of the university council.
In letters dated July 4 and July 7, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua ordered Prof Wainaina to surrender the title deed for the institution LR No. 1102/26 to allow the Ministry of Lands and Planning take over the land for construction of World Health Organization (WHO) hub in the institution. WHO is intending to build ksh 600 million emergency hub in the land that is under contention.
