Pay Professor Walingo Her Dues; Court Rules
The Employment and Labor Relations Court in Nakuru has issued a ruling mandating Maasai Mara University to provide compensation in the amount of Sh81 million to Vice Chancellor Mary Walingo due to her unjust termination from employment.
In the ruling by Justice Hellen Wasilwa, the institution is liable to pay Professor Walingo a sum of Sh81,019,348 in relation to unpaid salaries and allowances since her termination in May 2020.
The judge criticized the university for failing to submit to the court its calculation of the outstanding amount owing to the university boss despite contesting Walingo’s calculation.
The court issued multiple orders, including the most recent one on July 11, 2023, instructing the parties involved to submit their computations. However, the university failed to comply with these directives.
As per the judge’s assessment, the university provided inadequate justifications, citing their anticipation of a reconstitution of the council as the reason for the delay. Even after council reconstitution, the university is still yet to submit its calculation of the outstanding payments to the Vice Chancellor.
The presiding judge ruled that due to the respondent’s lack of response, the court would accept the applicant’s (Walingo) calculated amount of Sh81 million as the outstanding debt. The judge further indicates in the ruling that this amount is subject to statutory deductions before payment.
Walingo faced legal intervention on May 12, 2020, and subsequently experienced suspension on August 28, 2020, following accusations of her involvement in the purported misappropriation of Sh177 million during the Maasai Mara University thievery case.
On January 31, 2022, the university council subsequently terminated her employment.
Feeling wronged, she decided to go to the Public Service Commission (PSC) to lodge a complaint. Walingo asserts that after her prohibition, the university ceased remunerating her.
According to Walingo, she is entitled to a sum of Sh81 million in outstanding remuneration, including unpaid salary, allowances, and accrued interest, for the period starting in May 2020 and ending in December 2022.
On September 6, 2022, the Public Service Commission (PSC) granted reinstatement to Walingo. However, the PSC stipulated that she must stay suspended and receive half of her salary until the resolution of her theft case.
The commission issued an order to the university mandating the payment of half salary and attendant allowances to Walingo, effective January 31, 2020, which marks the commencement of her suspension.
Nevertheless, Walingo initiated legal proceedings, alleging that the institution had refused to restore her position and was unwilling to fulfill her rightful compensation.
As per Walingo’s account, she is persistently subject to intimidation, harassment, discrimination, and persecution while the university still withholds her payment.
On January 17, 2023, Justice Wasilwa made a legal decision by adopting the PSC (Public Service Commission) decision as a formal court judgment, instructing the university to carry out the prescribed orders.
However, according to court records, it can be observed that the institution postponed Walingo’s reinstatement until it was compelled by the court to take action on February 20, 2023.
Pay Professor Walingo Her Dues; Court Rules