Mugenda in office legally, rules court
The Kenyatta University vice-chancellor was legally appointed to head the institution for a second five-year term, the High Court has ruled.
Mr Justice George Odunga said that there was nothing wrong with the failure of former President Kibaki to gazette the appointment of Prof Olive Mugenda.
“Unless there is specific provision that an appointment becomes effective through gazettement, then it’s only a mere directive and failure to gazette the appointment does not necessarily nullify the appointment,” ruled Justice Odunga.
According to the judge, there was no provision requiring that the appointment of the KU vice-chancellor was to take effect only on gazettement.
He added that the petition by Dr Wilfrida Itolongo, Dr Muma Solomon, Dr Elena Korir, Ms Martha MIayandazi and Mr Fred Obare, challenging the reappointment of Prof Mugenda was unmerited and ordered them to meet costs.
Prof Mugenda was first appointed KU boss in April 2006. She was reappointed in March 2011 after re-applying.
However in July 2012, the five moved to court seeking her removal and an order compelling the government to appoint another VC.