The Employment and Labor Relations Court ordered Maasai Mara University to reinstate the suspended Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mary Walingo and to pay her half her salary that has accrued since her suspension.
Justice Hellen Wasilwa on January 18, 2023, reinstated Prof Walingo to her position as the Vice-Chancellor of Maasai Mara University and Professor of the School of Tourism and Natural Resource Management (Department of Hospitality and Tourism).
She reported to duty on Wednesday, January 25 prompting a standoff.
Prof. Walingo was sent on leave in 2019 when she was implicated in an alleged Sh177 million corruption scandal.
She was charged alongside other officials from the University for irregularly withdrawing money in 2016.
She was ordered to step aside to allow an investigation.
“The Appellant be reinstated back to her employment on suspension pending the hearing and determination of the Anti-Corruption Case No. 2 of 2020 and/or her contract lawfully terminated,” the judge said.
She further directed the institution to pay Walingo half her salary including allowances from the day of suspension.
“The Appellant be paid half salary and the attendant allowances pursuant to section 62 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act if the same has not been paid from the date of the charge and/or suspension.”
The court noted that it was aware that Maasai Mara University and Maasai Mara University Council had refused to comply with the Public Service Commission’s decision to pay Walingo all the salary arrears from the date of suspension and reinstate her to her position as the Vice-Chancellor of Maasai Mara University and Professor of the School of Tourism and Natural Resource Management (Department of Hospitality and Tourism).
Walingo through her advocate wrote to the university saying she was supposed to resume on January 23, but due to delays in serving her with a court-signed copy, she reported Wednesday.
“As earlier communicated to you in our letters and pursuant to the attached Court Order, Our Client was to resume her duties today, however, due to the delay in serving the signed copy, she has rescheduled her return to January 25, 2023, to allow us to serve you the signed Court Order,” the statement read.
