DVC sues varsity after her professor post is nullified

She is demanding her gratuity dues payment of her DVC position. [iStockphoto]

Laikipia University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and Research has sued the university for nullifying her Associate Professor position.

Ms Wanjiku Chiuri wants Justice Hellen Wasilwa of the Employment and Labour Relations Court to declare the termination and nullification of her position as procedurally flawed.

She is also asking the court to declare that termination of her employment was unjustified, unlawful, wrongful, and illegal.

Chiuri is demanding her gratuity dues payment of her DVC position for the year ending 2020 amounting to Sh1.95 million.

She also seeks Sh1.58 million notice payment of three months as stipulated in the letter of engagement as a DVC.

“The claimant wants damages of Sh6.02 million for malicious termination that has dented her credentials and reputation being a scholar, consultant, and an associate professor,” reads her claim.

Retirement age

If she is not reinstated, the DVC is demanding Sh21.06 million; her full salary until she attains the retirement age of 70.

Chiuri says she was appointed as a DVC Academic and Research on November 23, 2015, following a successful interview.

On January 22, 2018, she was appointed as an Associate Professor of Environmental Science. 

Her contract ended in November 2020 after the institution declined to renew it. When she handed over her office as a DVC, she claims the university went after her position as an associate professor and nullified it on January 29, 2021.

“She was accused of not teaching nor adhering to her contract of agreement that directed her to start her duties three months after the appointment,” reads the claim.

The university denies the allegations and states that Chiuri could not undertake the two duties because they were demanding and conflicting.