Agitated Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Prof. Wainaina Has Been Officially Fired

Disputed Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University Prof. Paul Wainaina has finally been formally fired by the Institution’s council.

Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Waceke Wanjohi stated in a memo to colleagues on Monday that Wainaina had received a letter from the university informing him of his termination.

“Further to the earlier communication from the Kenyatta University Council, I write to inform you that the Council vide a letter to Prof. Paul K. Wainaina, resolved to summarily dismiss him from service with effect from 5th August 2022,” Waceke wrote in a statement.

He pleaded with the University to stay focused and ignore all correspondence from the ousted Vice Chancellor.

“Therefore any communication and/or instructions from him are null and void. I therefore request you to remain focused and ensure that the University continues to run smoothly without any disruption,” he said.

After a dispute between Wainaina and the government over a plot of land belonging to the university, he was fired on July 12.

The Employment and Labor Relations Court ruled in favor of his reinstatement on July 27.

“Pending the hearing and determination of this application inter-parties, this honourable court is pleased to issue a temporary order suspending the implementation of the decision contained in the letter dated July 12 by Professor Crispus Kiamba in to suspending, terminating and/or dismissing the petitioner from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, rendering his position vacant and/or revoking his salary,” Justice Jacob Gateri ruled.

In two letters dated July 4 and July 7, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua instructed Prof. Wainaina to renounce the title for Kenyatta University LR No. 1102/26 so that the Ministry of Lands and Planning could seize a portion of the land as directed by the Cabinet. This was done in order to avoid a conflict with the state.