VC taken to court over varsity council

The University of Eldoret Vice Chancellor is in the spotlight over the legality of the institution's council.

The legality of the council membership is now set to be determined by the Nakuru Labour Court.

This was triggered by the impending sacking of eight university senior management staff accused of misconduct.  Vice Chancellor Teresa Akenga and the council have been sued in the case.

Prof Akenga has been accused of spearheading irregular sacking of staff through an improperly constituted council.

The court was told that members of the council were not recruited in accordance with Commission for University Education regulations.

But Akenga argued that the Labour Court had no powers to determine the legality of the constitution of the council. "Appointment of the council is a matter regulated by the Universities Act, 2012," she said.

Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge Finance and Administration Ezekiel Kiprop and Finance Officer Hosea Sitienei claimed the council is not properly constituted and is illegal, thus cannot purport to sack them.

They temporarily stopped the university management from making further decisions after they were subjected to a disciplinary action last month.

The petitioners want the court to declare the council is not properly constituted and the impending sacking stopped.

Through advocate Kipkoech Ngetich, they claimed the VC was aware of the illegality as the secretary of the council and had been commandeering the proceedings for her own personal benefits.

The court extended conservatory orders restraining the university from sacking them until the suit is determined. The case will proceed on March 10.