This archive report was first published on 13 November 2019.
On November 13, 2019, the University of Eldoret faced a significant financial crisis when auctioneers from Kolato Auctioneers announced the attachment of 20 high-end vehicles belonging to the institution. The move was a result of the university's failure to pay Prof Ezekiel Kiprop and Hosea Sitienei the money awarded to them by the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nakuru.
Prof Kiprop and Mr Sitienei were awarded Sh38 million in a court ruling on July 9, 2019, after they were wrongfully dismissed from their positions in 2015. The court ordered the university to reinstate Mr Sitienei and pay him his salaries owing and due from January 16, 2016, until his retirement date of June 30, 2018, amounting to Sh14,729,122.00. Prof Kiprop was awarded Sh24,173,994.60 for unlawful termination of employment.
Lawyer Kipkoech Ng'etich, representing the duo, stated that the vehicles were attached to recover the Sh38 million owed to his clients. The university was given seven days to pay the debt, after which the vehicles would be moved and sold to the public.
According to the court ruling, the university was required to implement the judgement within 30 days from the date of delivery. However, this was not done, prompting Prof Kiprop and Mr Sitienei to move back to court and file contempt proceedings against the university management.
