A Court has ruled that Maasai Mara University must pay its reinstated Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof. Mary Walingo Ksh81 million following her wrongful dismissal.
This verdict comes after a prolonged legal battle where Prof. Walingo had demanded compensation for unpaid salaries and allowances totaling the disputed amount.
She was suspended on August 28, 2020, over a Ksh177 million corruption case.
In a recent hearing before Justice Hellen Wasilwa, lawyer Kahiga Waitindi vehemently contested Prof. Walingo’s assertion deeming her claim of Ksh81,190,248 as greatly exaggerated.
Waitindi argued that the University is diligently computing and reconciling the actual amount owed to Prof. Walingo, and it is far less than what she has stated.
The lawyer emphasized that the varsity currently lacks a functioning Council, as the previous one’s term ended earlier this year.
He explained that the University management is in contact with the Ministry of Education (MoE) to facilitate the appointment of new Council members who will calculate the accurate payment of any dues owed to Prof. Walingo.
“The university has requested a meeting with the Ministry to resolve all matters,” he said, adding that the VC is currently receiving only half her regular salary each month since her reinstatement.
On the other hand, Prof. Walingo has insisted that she is owed over Ksh81 million, comprising Ksh63,659,919 in half salaries accrued between May 2020 and December 2022, along with additional allowances totaling Ksh10,978,000.
Her legal representative, Hosea Manwa, noted that they had presented the university with their computation of the amount due, and the university has not contested it thus far.
Manwa noted that despite her reinstatement on September 6, 2022 following a Public Service Board decision, the University has made no effort to settle her dues.
Moreover, he added that Prof. Walingo’s return had been delayed until February 20, 2023, when the Court intervened.
The Board’s directive was to compensate her for half salary and attendant allowances starting from January 31, 2020, the date of her suspension.
The Court was set to deliver its judgment on the Contempt of court case on September 28.
By Viola Chepkemoi
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