Outgoing Kenyatta University VC Olive Mugenda gets 14-day reprieve

Olive Mugenda

Outgoing Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Olive Mugenda yesterday got a reprieve after the Employment and Labour Relations Court quashed an order requiring her to proceed on terminal leave.

Principal Judge Nduma Nderi granted the order for 14 days pending the hearing and determination of the suit set for January 18.

"I direct that pending the hearing of the suit, the Vice Chancellor be allowed to execute her duties for 14 days pending the hearing of the application filed before the court," Justice Nderi said.

The Labour Relations Court had earlier directed Prof Mugenda to proceed on a six-month terminal leave pending the hearing of a petition filed by activist Okiya Omtatah.

Yesterday, lawyers Kibe Mungai representing university council and Njoroge Regeru representing Mugenda urged the court to set aside the orders issued by Justice Hellen Wasilwa requiring the VC to proceed on a six-month terminal leave.

Mungai argued that since the orders took effect two weeks ago, activities at the institution had been paralysed after the university re-opened on Monday.

He argued that the university authorities cannot access bank accounts since Mugenda is the key signatory.