Waceke Wanjohi To Replace Prof. Paul Wainaina As KU Vice Chancellor
Kenyatta University Council has ignored Employment and Labour Relations Court orders to stop the firing of Vice Chancellor Paul Wainaina.
Wainaina has been replaced by Waceke Wanjohi, who will serve as acting VC until a permanent replacement is found, according to a statement issued by KU Chairman of Council Chrispus Kiamba on Friday, August 5.
He urged all faculty and students to give Wanjohi all the support he needed to ensure the university’s continued stability.
“The attention of the university community is drawn to a decision by the Hon. Justice Gakeri of the Employment and Labour Court in Nairobi on 4th August 2022 where the court dismissed an application by Prof. Paul Wainaina for injunctive orders.
"Arising from the above developments, Council has resolved that Prof. Waceke Wanjohi continues as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University until further notice,” the statement read in part.
This follows orders by Justice Jacob Gakeri, who temporarily halted Wainaina’s suspension and directed that the case be heard by any Judge on July 28 for an inter-party hearing.
“Pending 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 suspending, terminating and/or dismissing the petitioner from the Office of the Vice Chancellor, rendering his position vacant and/or revoking his salary,” ruled Justice Gakeri.
Wainaina, through his lawyer, petitioned the court for an order prohibiting the enforcement of the orders issued by Head of Public Service, Joseph Kinyua, arguing that the termination of Waina’s employment was a matter for the University Council.
“An injustice has been perpetrated upon the applicant herein and this honourable court should remedy the said injustice by the Head of Public Service by urgently staying the impugned suspension,” the embattled VC told the court through his lawyer.
Manwa Hosea, Wainaina’s lawyer, had asked the court to issue a conservatory order suspending the decision contained in Kiamba’s letter dated July 12 that suspended the VC and appointed Wanjohi as acting VC.
Kenyatta University Council name Prof. Paul Wainaina’s replacement
President Uhuru Kenyatta had a verbal spat with Wainaina over plans to cede part of the institution’s land to the World Health Organization in order to build a Ksh600 million emergency hub to support its regional operations.
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Waceke Wanjohi To Replace Prof. Paul Wainaina As KU Vice Chancellor
