The Vice Chancellor (VC) of Kenyatta University Professor Paul Wainaina Wednesday, returned to work following a court order to have him reinstated.
Prof. Wainaina addressed the media after his arrival at the university premises, where he clarified the reasons for his absence from work.
He explained that his refusal to cave in to the demands of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to give up the “title deed of a 410 acres’ land owned by the university,” landed him a suspension.
“The issues involved here are weighty and complicated, but they are all boiling to the university being asked to cede more than half of what we have,” he said, adding that at the moment, the varsity had around 720 acres of land and what was being demanded for was 410 acres.
The Scholar who arrived to a rousing welcome by students added that he was fully back to work as ordered by the court, and would not succumb to any kind of intimidation.
On Tuesday July 26, the Employment and Labour Relations Court gave an order for the VC’s reinstatement, while awaiting further hearing and resolution of the case.
According to the VC, the university has suspended relevant projects such as the school of business, the recreational centre and a proposed hostel for students, thus it was not possible for the council to give up land.
“These issues are in court and are going to be debated, I trust that the court is going to give us a verdict that is going to vindicate me as the VC and the University council,” Prof Wainaina said.
He added that although the varsity has no ill thoughts towards the WHO Centre, the law must be allowed to take due course.
President of the University’s Students’ Union (SU), Moses Ngige expressed full support for the VC. He appreciated the decision of the court, while calling on the government to give respect to university’s authority.
“We thank the court for reinstating the VC . The government must respect the authority of this university,” Ngige said.
The land controversy between WHO and KU started when the former wanted to build Africa’s first health emergency hub on land also claimed by the latter.
WHO claimed that a part of the land was given to them by the government. However, KU insisted that they were in the shadows regarding such a decision, and thus, would not cede land until due processes have been followed.