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Turkana University College principal ordered to reinstate his deputy

Collete Suda
The Ministry of Education has directed the Principal of Turkana University College to reinstate his deputy whom he hounded out of office in 2018.
University Education Principal Secretary Prof Collete Suda has now directed Prof Thomas Akuja to reinstate his deputy Prof Stephen Odebero immediately or face disciplinary action.
In a letter to Prof Akuja, Prof Suda who is also the chief administrative secretary in the Ministry of Education said the latest date that Prof Odebero should be back at the institution should be January 17.
The principal has also been directed to reimburse to Prof Odebero, who until the incident was deputy principal administration, finance and planning, all the withheld salaries and allowances from the date of termination.
Prof Suda has also directed the university council to file a formal report of adherence to the directive by January 17 at 12pm
Prof Akuja is also required to unconditionally withdraw his letter to Prof Odebero dated July 20, 2018 and reinstate him in the service of TUC.
Prof Odebere was second to the university by Masinde Muliro University of science and technology (MMUST) council on March 20 2017  and  on July 13 2018 it was resolved that he continues to hold the position during transition process.
“However, when you took office on July 18 2018, you unilaterally decided to discharge the duties lawfully assigned  to Prof Odebero  and transferred him back to MMUST without following any known procedures and policies governing  university management,” reads the letter signed by Mr Peter Okwanyo on behalf of the CAS.
The letter says Prof Odebero responded requesting Prof Akuja to accord him a fair administrative action and furnish him minutes of the July 13 2018 meeting which the principal has not done but instead chose to hound him out of office.
The PS said the Ministry has investigated the matter together with other government agencies and found no wrongdoing on the side of Prof Odebero.
He letter says the principal has failed to act on directive by the council and despite show cause letter dated March 22 2019.
Prof Suda says the matter was reported to Lodwar police station and to Court at the detriment of TUC and the council is on record urging the matter to be settled out of Court.
The letter is copied to Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha among others.

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