Ombudsman intervention forces Kimathi University to pay former lecturer millions in salary arrears
By DMS
A former part-time lecturer at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) has finally received more than KSh2.3 million in unpaid salary arrears after years of unsuccessful attempts to secure her dues, thanks to the intervention of the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), popularly known as the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Commission said its intervention compelled the university to settle the outstanding amount of KSh2,381,140 owed to the lecturer, identified as Ms. S.N., bringing to an end a protracted dispute that had dragged on for years.
According to a statement issued by the Commission’s Corporate Communication Division, Ms. S.N. lodged a complaint alleging undue delay by the university in paying her for services rendered while working as a part-time lecturer between 2013 and 2018.
The former lecturer told the Commission that although she had taught at the institution over the five-year period, she had not been paid for work undertaken between 2015 and 2018.
She said that after repeatedly raising the matter with the university administration, she only received payment covering two semesters; September to December 2016 and January to April 2017.
Despite numerous follow-ups, the university failed to clear the balance owed to her.
By the time she sought the Ombudsman’s intervention, the outstanding amount had accumulated to KSh2,381,140.
The Commission subsequently initiated formal inquiries and wrote to the Vice-Chancellor of Dedan Kimathi University of Technology seeking an explanation and urging the institution to address the complaint.
However, the inquiry failed to elicit any response from the university.
The Commission said it was forced to escalate the matter by issuing three reminder letters after the Vice-Chancellor failed to respond to its initial correspondence.
When the reminders also went unanswered, the Ombudsman issued a Notice to Show Cause, requiring the university to explain why action should not be taken against it for failing to cooperate with the Commission’s investigations.
It was only after the issuance of the notice that the university moved to settle the outstanding dues.
“The action prompted the University to settle the outstanding dues owed to the former lecturer,” the Commission said.
The resolution brought relief to Ms. S.N., who expressed gratitude to the Commission for helping her obtain justice after years of frustration.
In a letter addressed to the Office of the Ombudsman, she praised the Commission’s professionalism and persistence throughout the process.
“I am writing to express my appreciation to the Office of the Ombudsman, Isiolo Regional Office, and the Head Office for the assistance accorded to me in resolving my complaint against DeKUT,” she wrote.
“I received payment of the dues owed to me, leading to the full settlement of my claim. I have no further complaint against DeKUT. Thank you for your clear and timely correspondence throughout the resolution process. Please continue the good work you do in assisting Kenyans.”
The case highlights the critical role played by the Commission on Administrative Justice in protecting citizens from maladministration and ensuring that public institutions remain accountable in the discharge of their duties.
Established under Article 59(4) of the Constitution and the Commission on Administrative Justice Act, the Ombudsman is mandated to investigate complaints relating to abuse of power, unfair treatment, delays, discourtesy, incompetence, inefficiency and administrative injustice in public offices.
The successful resolution of the complaint also underscores the challenges that many part-time lecturers continue to face in securing timely remuneration from institutions of higher learning.
For Ms. S.N., what began as a years-long struggle for compensation ended with vindication and full payment of her hard-earned dues.
For the Ombudsman, the case serves as another example of how persistence and institutional oversight can restore public confidence in the pursuit of administrative justice.
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