Kenyatta University VC Handed Victory After Controversial Sacking
Justice Jacob Gakeri on Tuesday, July 26 issued the order that temporarily blocked the suspension of Wainaina.
Marvin Chege 
President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration has been handed a huge blow after the Employment and Labour Relations Court reinstated Prof Paul Wainaina as Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor.
Wainaina stepped down from his role after refusing to give up part of the university land to the government for the World Health Organization (WHO) project.
Justice Jacob Gakeri on Tuesday, July 26 issued the order that temporarily blocked the suspension of Wainaina. He further directed the matter to be placed before any judge on Thursday, July 28 for parties hearing.
"That pending the hearing and determination of this Application inter-partes, this Honourable Court be pleased to issue a temporary order suspending the implementation of the decision contained in the letter dated July 12, 2022, by Professor Crispus Kiamba in suspending, terminating and/or dismissing the Petitioner from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, rendering his position vacant and/or revoking his salary," the judge ruled.
Wainaina's lawyer Manwa Hosea had asked the court to issue a conservatory order suspending the decision as per the July 12 letter by Professor Crispus Kiamba that replaced Wainaina with Prof Waceke Wanjohi as the VC in an acting capacity.
Hosea further urged the court to suspend an advertisement for the position of Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor as well as the implementation of the decision by the new university council to suspend Wainaina over alleged gross misconduct and insubordination.
“The Head of Public Service continues to act in a manner that completely flouts the provisions of the law on the rights of the applicant and continues to breach his right to fair labour practices,” he told the court.
The professor had failed to surrender the title deed of land belonging to Kenyatta University to the WHO, which is setting up a Ksh600 million emergency hub to cater for its regional operations. He defended by arguing that the university was not consulted during the plans to set up the facility on the land.
His remarks came after the President specifically dedicated the last weeks of his 10-year tenure to solving the land dispute with the urgency it deserves.
"Kenya is a respected member of the global community and we are recognized as a very strong supporter of multinational institutions. We led UN-Habitat and UNEP and that is why we want WHO here.
“This land belongs to Kenya and what this facility is going to do to help us improve healthcare, to help us meet emergencies, not just in Kenya but throughout the entire African continent and you want to put the brakes…any way, I still have three weeks left, we shall deal with those individuals 'swiftly and effectively'. I will go home with them,” he said.
