Egerton VC Rose Mwonya asks court to lift suspension

Suspended Egerton university Vice Chancellor Rose Mwonya has filed a court application against the institution's decision to send her on a 90-day compulsory leave on corruption claims.

Ms Mwonya took action on Thursday by filing the application at the Employment and Labor Relations Court in Nakuru County. She is seeking a judicial review of the decision by the university council.

The don was sent on compulsory leave on September 10 through a letter dated September 7 from the university council.

She is accused of involvement in procurement malpractices amounting to millions of shillings, tampering with students’ records and irregularly awarding scholarships.

Ms Mwonya is also accused of recalling suspended staff, including Registrar of Academic Affairs Seth Owido and Senior Administrative Assistant Thomas Migwi Maina, without consulting the university council.

In the application filed under a certificate of urgency, Ms Mwonya asks the court to revoke her suspension, which she terms unlawful and a violation of the rules of natural justice.

ILLEGALITY

In the documents before Justice Monica Mbaru, she says the council meeting that resolved to eject her was improperly constituted, a state she says made the decision illegal.

She further says the council acted unprocedurally by holding a disciplinary meeting after working hours, and behind closed doors, and denying her a chance to defend herself.

“The suspension letter was issued in an illegal, unprocedural and irrational manner that frustrated the right to natural justice and procedural fairness,” reads part of the document.

Ms Mwonya further faults the council for appointing Alexander Kahi as acting vice chancellor, a mandate she says lies with the education cabinet secretary.

She wants the court to issue orders against her compulsory leave, pending the determination of the matter.

The court said the case will be mentioned within 21 days.