In a rare move that has left many shocked, former Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor Prof Olive Mugenda has declined a lavish retirement package of over Ksh20 million proposed by the university council. Prof Mugenda, in a letter sent to the university council last Friday, refused to take the lucrative package.
In a press statement sent to newsrooms on Sunday afternoon, the university announced that she felt the appreciation she had received, especially on social media, thanking her for transforming KU was enough.
The statement added that when Prof Mugenda took over as the VC, she was discharging her public duties and did not accept the position with a retirement package in mind.
Recent media reports said that the university council had decided to offer her lavish retirement benefits after her successful 10-year tenure at the helm of the university.
The benefits included a 10-day holiday to a country of her choice in the company of her spouse or a friend, a personal vehicle and a retirement home all estimated to cost of Ksh22.5 million.
“[Prof] Mugenda is however grateful for the gesture and the support the university council has given her during her tenure,” read the statement.
“Prof Mugenda wishes the staff, students and management of KU a prosperous future and believes KU will only grow bigger and better with the foundation she has laid down for it,” added the statement.
In the meantime, Prof Mugenda will take a break as she contemplates her next move.
It is interesting but brothers and sisters let us not be fooled by this move. According to the Universities Act 2012 and the KU Statutes, she is the Secretary to the KU Council. That means she was the one taking minutes of the meeting. How can she fein ignorance now? She did not only take minutes but she lobbied for it. When things got hot in the social media she threw her colleagues in the Council under the bus