The acting Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor, Prof Paul Wainaina risks facing contempt of court charges and civil jail for failing to comply with a court order compelling Kenyatta University to settle its former Vice Chancellor Olive Mugenda’s terminal benefits.
Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge, Lady Justice Monica Mbaru confirmed that the mandatory order issued a fortnight ago is not conditional and must be settled as prescribed.
“The orders earlier issued remain in force and the defendants are advised to ensure compliance forthwith,” Justice Mbaru stressed.
The former Vice Chancellor’s lawyer, James Nyiha, informed the court that the Kenyatta University management had only partially complied with the orders.
Late last month, Prof Mugenda's legal team filed a civil suit on a certificate of urgency from which the court gave mandatory order compelling the University to settle the dues including sabbatical leave emoluments.
The settlement of the final dues, Justice Mbaru said should be done in line with the exit package earlier approved by the Kenyatta University Council Service Committee, on March 17, 2015 and adopted on September 3, 2015.
Prof Mugenda’s legal team was directed to formally move the court for contempt of court proceedings on the part of the Respondents if any breach of the order continued.
She served Kenyatta University for over 30 years in different capacities.
Prof Mugenda was appointed VC in 2007 making history as the first woman to ever ascend to that position in any of the country’s public universities in Kenya. She was reappointed in 2012 by President Mwai Kibaki for another five years.