Maasai Mara University VC Mary Walingo seeks Sh81 million after reinstatement

Prof Mary Walingo at Nakuru Central Police Station on August 26, 2020. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

The lawyer said the university has made no efforts to pay Walingo's dues since she was reinstated on September 6, 2022, following a decision by the Public Service Board (PSB).

Following the delayed action, Manwa said Walingo instituted a contempt case against the university and served it with her demands.

Corruption case

Walingo was interdicted on May 12, 2020, and suspended on August 28, 2020, after she was charged in a Sh177 million corruption case.

Although she was to be paid half her salary, Manwa said the university stopped paying her after interdiction. From May to August, she is owed Sh5.2 million in salaries and allowances.

"From September to December 2020, she is demanding Sh11,825,940," said Manwa.

He said the university owes his client Sh17,460,94, money she should have been paid between January and December 2021, and another Sh18,295,979 which she should have earned between January and December 2022.

Apart from the salaries, the VC is demanding Sh10,978,000 in allowances listed as other allowances, taking the total to Sh63,659,919.

The university, however, challenged the amount before the court when its lawyer Kahika Waitindi claimed the amount quoted is exaggerated.

Prof Mary Walingo was interdicted on May 12, 2020, and suspended on August 28, 2020. [iStockphoto]

He said the university is still computing and reconciling what they think the VC is truly owed. Waitindi said the university could not do anything until the Ministry of Education appoints a new council after the previous one left office.

Justice Wasilwa ruled that the university does not need a council to compute what it feels is owed to the VC. She ordered the university to compute its figures within two weeks and file, if any, a rejoinder against the figures given by Walingo.

Walingo was reinstated by the PSB but she remains suspended, and on half salary, until her graft case is heard and determined. Her reinstatement was confirmed after PSB's decision was adopted as a judgment on January 17, 2023.

In the case, Walingo wants the previous council of nine members to be found guilty of contempt of court and be jailed for six months, for delaying her reinstatement.

The case will be mentioned on May 30, for compliance.

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