Petition filed to compel KU Vice Chancellor Wainaina to proceed on terminal leave

A case has been filed at the High Court seeking orders to compel Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Kuria Wainaina to proceed on terminal leave.

However, the court declined to issue immediate orders and instead directed that the application dated December 1, 2025, together with all supporting materials filed, be served upon the parties forthwith for an inter partes hearing scheduled for December 16, 2025.

In the application, two petitioners, Elizabeth Chesang and Rosemary Wanjiru Gichuhi, argue that Prof. Wainaina’s term ends on January 26, 2026, and that during the last six months of his tenure, he has allegedly made decisions that undermine the Constitution.

They contend that among the key contested decisions is the revocation of appointments of substantive office holders within the university.

“There is real danger that unless the court hears and determines the petition, the mismanagement complained of will continue unabated and expose the university to a management crisis likely to erode its status,” read court documents.

Through their lawyer Odhiambo Ouma, the petitioners who are also alumni of Kenyatta University, are seeking orders compelling the institution to disclose the criteria used to revoke, appoint and promote office holders during the last six months of the Vice Chancellor’s term.

They further argue that the Vice Chancellor has taken advantage of court orders earlier issued in the matter to continue participating in substantive decision-making, which they claim undermines the Constitution.

“The 1st Respondent has promoted university staff who are related to him to various offices and job groups,” they allege in court documents.