High court petition seeks to push KU VC Prof. Wainaina to terminal leave

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A photo of Kenyatta University vice chancellor Prof.Paul Wainaina/photo/X

A petition challenging the leadership decisions of Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Kuria Wainaina has been placed before the High Court, with two alumni seeking to have him compelled to proceed on terminal leave.

Principal Judge Byram Ongaya has directep that the petition dated December 1, 2025 be served on all parties immediately. He stopped short of issuing interim orders and instead scheduled the matter for inter partes hearing on December 16, 2025.

The petitioners, Elizabeth Chesang and Rosemary Wanjiru Gichuhi, argue that Prof. Wainaina’s term ends on January 26, 2026, yet they claim he has continued to make decisions within the last six months that allegedly undermine the Constitution.

Through their lawyer Odhiambo Ouma, the two want the university compelled to disclose how it arrived at decisions to revoke, appoint, and promote various office holders during that period. 

They insist the process violated the Universities Act, the Kenyatta University Charter, and the Mwongozo Code of Governance for State Corporations.

They accuse the VC of favouritism and nepotism, alleging that some staff promotions involved his relatives. 

"The 1st Respondent has promoted university staff who are related to him to various offices and job groups,” the court documents read.

They also cite the resignation of the Council Chair and the Chair of the Human Resource Committee, saying the exits left the University Council improperly constituted and unable to provide proper oversight.

Among the orders sought are the immediate placement of Prof. Wainaina on terminal leave, the suspension of all appointments and promotions made in the last six months of his term, and the revocation of the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance’s extended tenure beyond the statutory six-month limit.

The petitioners further argue that the Vice Chancellor has taken advantage of earlier court orders in the matter to continue participating in substantive university decisions, actions they say undermine constitutional requirements.

The matter will be mentioned on December 16, 2025, for inter partes hearing.

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