By Our Reporter
Former Kisumu County Assembly Speaker and Vice-Chancellor of Great Lakes University, Ann Adul, has emerged victorious in a long-running legal battle against her former employer, securing more than Sh10 million in compensation for unpaid salary arrears and gratuity.
The ruling, delivered on 12 May 2025 by Justice Nzioka wa Makau of the Kisumu Employment and Labour Relations Court, concluded that Adul was entitled to Sh5,197,500 in unpaid salary arrears for the period April to December 2020 and an additional Sh4,987,500 in gratuity, totalling Sh10,185,000.
Adul, who was appointed Vice-Chancellor on a five-year contract effective 1 March 2016, filed a memorandum of claim on 15 September 2023, citing a toxic work environment and non-payment of her salary and benefits. She claimed her monthly remuneration was Sh765,000, comprising a basic salary, gratuity, housing, security, transport, driver, and health allowances.
The court heard that she was forced to leave her post two months before her contract’s official expiry on 28 February 2021 due to worsening working conditions. Adul sought a total of Sh12,675,000 in arrears, unutilised leave days, and terminal dues, along with interest and the costs of the suit.
However, Great Lakes University disputed her claims, arguing that she had abandoned her duties and left the country, precipitating administrative chaos. The institution further contended that Adul had been dismissed in March 2017 for breaching her contract and therefore had no claim to compensation.
In its defence, the university asserted that her term had ended in December 2020, not February 2021, and accused her of financial mismanagement that led to losses, arguing that she should not benefit from what it described as misconduct.
Nonetheless, testimonies presented in court painted a different picture. Professor George Ouma Oindo, who served under Adul as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, described her as a committed professional who performed well despite attempts to unseat her through a hostile takeover. This account was supported by Mr Zadock Oundo, her former personal assistant, who testified that the university owed her salary arrears and terminal benefits at the time of her departure.
In the final ruling, the judge dismissed a significant portion of Adul’s claims but upheld the core of her argument regarding unpaid salary and gratuity. The court did not award compensation for unutilised leave or other contested allowances but affirmed the legitimacy of her claim for delayed remuneration.
The judgment marks a significant moment in employment rights enforcement within higher education institutions, underscoring the importance of contractual obligations and fair treatment in leadership roles.
Adul is now entitled to interest on the awarded sums from the date of judgment until full payment is made, bringing closure to a protracted dispute that began more than four years ago.
