The High Court has ordered the University of Eldoret (UoE) to pay suspended lectures their full salaries and allowances on condition that they keep away from their respective offices.
The court also ordered the university not to fill or advertise the replacement of the lectures until the final ruling is given.
Judge Stephen Radido ruled after the hearing of the case involving University of Eldoret lectures who were suspended by the university following unrest by the students within the institution.
The nine lecturers were suspended on July 17 filed a case before the Nakuru Employment and Labor Relations court on July 23 seeking intervention and orders to lift the suspension.
The petitioners’ representative Patricia Kairu told the court that the suspension was not within the law and it was only meant to punish them saying they didn’t participate in the unrest.
“The students who participated in the unrest were charged and there was no relationship between the lectures and the closure of the university,” she said.
She also said that the unrest within the university was not caused by the suspended lectures but by the students who were protesting against the alleged increase of fees.
Kairu also told the court that one lecturer passed away due to shock.
One lecture's, Eliud Kipkoech case was withdrawn because it was for non-renewal of the contract.
University’s lawyer Henry Kenei told the court that the suspension was not meant to be a punishment but it was to help find a decision and ensure investigations are carried out without interference since they are employees of the university.
“The petitioners were already suspended before coming to court,” he said
Kenei also said that there was no breach of law during the suspension of the nine lectures by the university.
The ruling will be delivered on November 6.