Reprieve for 80 varsity workers

Some 80 employees got a reprieve after the Employment and Labour Relations Court stopped Kisii University from sending them home.

Judge Mathews Nduma, sitting in Kisumu, stopped  the varsity from sacking the employees until the hearing and determination of a petition filed by Kenya University Staff Union is heard and determined.

The union’s Kisii branch had moved to court to contest the planned lay-offs.

In his ruling, Justice Nduma restrained Kisii University, the chairperson of the Kisii University Council and the Kisii University Vice Chancellor, who are the first, second and third respondents, respectively, from terminating the employment of the staff.

“This court orders the applicant to file supplementary affidavits and submissions within 14 days and the three respondents in this case to also file their submissions within 14 days of service,” said Nduma.

The judge further warned the three respondents to obey the court order, failure to which they would be held in contempt, risking a jail term not exceeding six months.