Labor Court deflates Magoha’s ego, Upholds Kiama’s appointment

Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha, left, and newly appointed UON Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama
Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha, left, and newly appointed UON Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama [PHOTO/COURTESY]

Judge Maureen Onyango sitting at the Employment and Labor Relations Court has reversed Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha’s decision to revoke the University of Nairobi’s council’s appointment of Prof. Stephen Kiama as the university’s Vice Chancellor. Justice Maureen delivered the ruling on Monday in response to a petition filed by Prof. Kiama challenging Magoha’s directive.

Following the directive, Prof. Kiama will continue serving as the Varsity’s Vice-Chancellor awaiting the hearing of the matter scheduled on February 5 this year. This comes in the light of revelations that Prof. Magoha had issued a letter addressed to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission directing that the commission launches prompt investigations into the contentious appointment of Prof. Kiama as the institution’s new head.

Also Read: Why I revoked Prof Kiama’s appointment — CS Magoha

When revoking the appointment, Prof. Magoha stated that he was still in the middle of consultations with President Uhuru Kenyatta when the university council made the announcement of Prof. Kiama’s appointment. He further called for exhaustive investigations into whether due process was followed in the appointment.

The CS went further and dissolved the University’s council and appointed Prof. Mbece as the acting VC thereby sparking a row.