Ex- Kenyatta University VC Olive Mugenda turns down Sh100m retirement package

Former Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Olive Mugenda has declined to take a Sh100 million sendoff package.

The university council had proposed the hefty package for Prof Mugenda as a sign of appreciation in recognition of her impressive development record.

Mugenda left office Sunday after a decade at the helm. The proposed hefty package had been greeted with outrage with a majority of Kenyans taking to social media to express displeasure of the move by the university council.

Kenyatta University Director of Communication Machua Koinange confirmed that Mugenda declined the offer.

“She had said she didn’t see the need of such a package since she was doing her job as a public servant who expected no special treatment upon her retirement,” Mr Koinange said.

He said Mugenda’s letter stating that she had declined the offer would be handed to the council today.

Mugenda’s move to decline the retirement package comes a day after Council Chairman Ratemo Michieka on Saturday defended the package terming it as reasonable since it has to be approved by the Ministry of Education.

Prof Michieka dismissed reports, allegedly emanating from the University Academic Staff Union (Uasu), to the effect that it planned to pay Mugenda Sh100 million.

He however, declined to disclose what the amount was.

Among the proposals said to have been approved by the council following a report from the Terms and Conditions of Service committee, include 10 days holiday in a country of her choice accompanied by a spouse or a friend at the cost of Sh2.5 million, and a personal vehicle for Sh10 million.

Mugenda was also to be bought a retirement home in the form of a flat in a suitable residential area of her choice worth Sh20 million. The package was only to apply to her due to her unique and unprecedented contribution to Kenyatta University.

During her last official function (the opening of the Education Complex,) at the university on Thursday, Mugenda dismissed claims by Uasu (KU Chapter) officials saying the university had bought a car for her as a send-off gift.

“If the council feels the VC has done well why is Uasu complaining? In fact they say I was given a car, can I actually get a car, what is wrong even if a VC is given a car?” she asked

“They should not politicise these things and should let me go in peace. If I was to steal millions of shillings, I had the time to do so but I have not stolen a single cent from the university,” she added.

Paul Wainaina, who has been deputy vice chancellor in charge of administration has replaced Mugenda in an acting capacity.