Prof. Wainaina’s return follows the signature of a consent to withdraw court cases by parties engaged in the conflict that caused his departure, according to sources inside the government and within the university.
Following a dispute over the division of university property for use by the Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) to establish a World Health Organization logistics hub, the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the Kamae squatters, the vice chancellor was suspended on July 12.
He had previously been placed on leave for 30 days “pending investigations” into claims of “acts of misconduct,” but court cases that had been filed delayed resolution of the situation.
In order to expedite the transfer of the land, the council was likewise disbanded and a new one was appointed. The scheme, however, was derailed by ensuing legal disputes and the general election.
Since Prof. Wainaina was suspended, Prof. Waceke Wanjohi has been serving as acting VC. Former VC of the University of Nairobi Crispus Kiamba serves as the chairman of the new council.
Read: Prof. Waceke Wanjohi named acting VC in Uhuru-KU land drama
Prof. Wainaina’s return will signal yet another reversal of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decisions.
He had previously been placed on leave for 30 days “pending investigations” into claims of “acts of misconduct,” but court cases that had been filed delayed resolution of the situation.
In order to expedite the transfer of the land, the council was likewise disbanded and a new one was appointed. The scheme, however, was derailed by ensuing legal disputes and the general election.
Since Prof. Wainaina was suspended, Prof. Waceke Wanjohi has been serving as acting VC. Former VC of the University of Nairobi Crispus Kiamba serves as the chairman of the new council.
Prof. Wainaina’s return will signal yet another reversal of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decisions.
The council and the suspended vice chancellor had opposed the land’s subdivision, arguing that it was not in the university’s best interests.
According to a letter written by the former head of the public service, Joseph Kinyua, Kamae squatters would receive 190 acres, WHO 30 acres, ACDC 10 acres, and KUTRRH 180 acres. KUTRRH is a parastatal that is descended from the university.
To support its regional operations, the WHO aims to establish a Sh600 million emergency hub.
