The embattled Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Wainaina has been reinstated after multiple court battles against the University Council.
The Employment and Labour Court dealt multiple blows to the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Council of Kenyatta University after it issued orders overturning their appointment decisions.
The court ordered the reinstatement of Professor Paul Wainaina as the Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor, who was sent on leave by the Council in April last year.
Wainaina was first sent on leave in April 2024, with Prof. Waceke Wanjohi appointed as the acting Vice Chancellor. The leave was initially scheduled to end on January 30, 2025, with Prof. Wainaina expected to resume his duties the following day.
However, in December 2024, the Council extended his compulsory leave, citing accumulated sabbatical days.
The Council, chaired by Dr. Ben Chumo, maintained that Wainaina was required to exhaust his pending leave days before his term officially ends on July 15, 2025.
Wainaina moved to the Employment and Labour Relations Court on January 30 seeking orders for his reinstatement as Vice Chancellor.
He also wanted the court to quash an advert by the Public Service Commission calling for applications to fill the position of Vice Chancellor.
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On August 5, 2022, Wainaina was summarily dismissed as vice chancellor on account of gross misconduct.
Furthermore, the Employment and Labour Court also revoked the appointment of Maasai Mara University Deputy Vice Chancellor James Ole Nampushi.
Justice James Rika ruled that the appointment of Ole Nampushi by the PSC was unlawful.
In June last year, Rolex Kimani Wakiaga logged a petition before the court, seeking to bar the appointment of the don over claims of credentials forgery.
By Brian Ndigo
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