Egerton University will have to pay Sh250,000 to a student as compensatory damages for delayed graduation, a Nakuru High Court has ordered.
Justice Rachael Ng’etich ordered the university to ensure the student identified as Simon Okwaro Habu graduates during the next graduation ceremony after four years of being delayed.
Lawyer Antoinette Ogange representing Okwaro reportedly said his client has not graduated in over four years over missing marks which the university is responsible.
“It is no doubt that the petitioner has been inconvenienced by the delayed graduation, there is no doubt that he may have lost employment opportunities and the delay has subjected him to mental torture and hardship.For what the petitioner has been subjected to due to the fault of the respondent, he deserves general damages as prayed in the plaint,” ruled Justice Ngetich.
Okwaro moved to court on November 12, 2018, accusing the university of refusing to let him graduate over missing grades and failing to clear fee arrears although he had completed clearance and met all requirements.
“It would not be fair for the university to demand arrears again after clearing the student, there is, therefore, no justification to deny the petitioner opportunity to graduate,” read part of the judgement by Justice Ng’etich.