Raila, Miguna fail to hammer deal
Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s office has failed to reach an out-of-court deal with his suspended advisor Miguna Miguna over the terms of his departure.
Mr Miguna wants the PM’s office to publish an apology to him in the media and pay him his salary, allowances and benefits, the High Court heard on Thursday.
But the PM’s office described some of the demands as “unreasonable and draconian.” (READ: Miguna: A man loved and loathed in equal measure)
Muthaura letter
The parties are unable to agree on the basis of the proposed settlement.
The contest is whether terms should be according to Mr Miguna’s appointment letter or on a letter allegedly written by Mr Odinga to Public Service boss Francis Muthaura.
The PM’s office prefers the former while Mr Miguna has stuck to the latter. (READ: Miguna fights back in job dispute)
Lawyer Nelson Havi, for Mr Miguna, told Judge Mohamed Warsame: “Let him be given his salary, allowances and benefits. I don’t think that is too much to ask.”
According to Mr Havi, Mr Odinga had written to Mr Muthaura indicating that Mr Miguna was hired at the level of a permanent secretary, and was entitled to terms similar to those of President Kibaki’s adviser, Prof Kivutha Kibwana.
As such, his tenure ought to last until next year at the end of the coalition government.
But State counsel Charles Mutinda vehemently opposed this. The State on Thursday requested an adjournment for the parties to hold further negotiations to reach a settlement.
Justice Warsame agreed to adjourn until Monday but warned that Thursday’s was the last adjournment.
Mr Miguna was suspended as Mr Odinga’s advisor on coalition affairs by the PS in the PM’s office, Dr Mohammed Isahakia on August 4 for “gross-misconduct”. (READ: Raila kicks out key aide)
