Waziri Mayai Wa Maradhi
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 28, 2026
- 256
- 67
The hiring of a new vice chancellor for Maseno University has been temporarily halted by the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi after Prof. Mary Abukutsa-Onyango contested the procedure, arguing that she was wrongfully excluded.
The professor was given permission by Judge Dr. Jacob Gakeri to initiate judicial review procedures against Maseno University and the Public Service Commission (PSC), enabling a complete hearing of the case.
According to Justice Gakeri's decision, the court was convinced that the applicant had presented a compelling argument.
Prof. Abukutsa-Onyango filed a lawsuit under a certificate of urgency in an attempt to halt the hiring process, including the shortlisting, interviews, and final selection of a vice chancellor, while her case was being heard.
She said that despite applying for the job before to the January 9, 2026 deadline, she was unjustly left off the shortlist.
Through her lawyer, she told the court that she had submitted applications for Vice Chancellor positions at Maseno University, the University of Nairobi, and Kenyatta University.
She said while her applications to the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University were acknowledged, her Maseno University application was allegedly ignored despite being submitted on time.
Paul Famba, the PSC's chief executive officer, contested the application, claiming that there was no documentation proving she had applied for the Maseno University position.
The commission informed the court that the professor's supporting documentation was ambiguous and insufficient to establish her submission of the application.
The commission further contended that the application was superseded by events as the recruitment process had already been completed.
The court determined that there were unanswered concerns despite the objection, particularly over whether the professor had actually submitted her application and how it was processed.
Additionally, Justice Gakeri ordered that the leave be used as a stay, thereby halting the hiring process until the case is heard and decided.
The professor was given permission by Judge Dr. Jacob Gakeri to initiate judicial review procedures against Maseno University and the Public Service Commission (PSC), enabling a complete hearing of the case.
According to Justice Gakeri's decision, the court was convinced that the applicant had presented a compelling argument.
Prof. Abukutsa-Onyango filed a lawsuit under a certificate of urgency in an attempt to halt the hiring process, including the shortlisting, interviews, and final selection of a vice chancellor, while her case was being heard.
She said that despite applying for the job before to the January 9, 2026 deadline, she was unjustly left off the shortlist.
Through her lawyer, she told the court that she had submitted applications for Vice Chancellor positions at Maseno University, the University of Nairobi, and Kenyatta University.
She said while her applications to the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University were acknowledged, her Maseno University application was allegedly ignored despite being submitted on time.
Paul Famba, the PSC's chief executive officer, contested the application, claiming that there was no documentation proving she had applied for the Maseno University position.
The commission informed the court that the professor's supporting documentation was ambiguous and insufficient to establish her submission of the application.
The commission further contended that the application was superseded by events as the recruitment process had already been completed.
The court determined that there were unanswered concerns despite the objection, particularly over whether the professor had actually submitted her application and how it was processed.
Additionally, Justice Gakeri ordered that the leave be used as a stay, thereby halting the hiring process until the case is heard and decided.
