Former Egerton University lecturer, Qwen Ndung’u, has won a KSh 4.35 million judgment against the institution for unpaid pension contributions and other terminal benefits accrued during his 17 years of service.
Ndung’u filed the suit following his resignation in 2022, claiming that the university had failed to remit statutory and contractual dues, undermining his financial security in retirement.
The Employment Court in Nakuru ruled in his favour on December 19, 2025. Justice James Rika found that the university’s defence lacked credibility and appeared designed to “buy time” amid its admitted financial challenges, including debts of KSh 9.2 billion owed to suppliers.
The judge emphasised that an institution’s financial struggles do not absolve it of the legal and moral duty to pay an employee who served faithfully for nearly two decades.
In his April 2025 claim, Ndung’u detailed multiple unpaid benefits. These included unremitted pension contributions of KSh 2,779,128 between 2017 and June 2021, deferred leave and ICT allowances of KSh 394,319.
Unremitted loan deductions of KSh 110,003, accrued interest on the pension of KSh 574,992, and unpaid taxable benefits deductions of KSh 494,314. The total claim amounted to KSh 4,352,755.16.
During the hearing, the university largely conceded the claim. Legal Officer Janet Bii acknowledged that Ndung’u was owed KSh 2,457,921 for unremitted pension and deferred payments and admitted under cross-examination that the other allowances were valid.
The loan deductions had not been remitted, and no proof existed for the KSh 494,314 deducted from his 2020 salary arrears.
Justice Rika ruled that the university’s financial woes could not justify withholding a retired employee’s lawful benefits.
He noted that the lecturer’s long and faithful service deserved full recognition through timely payment of all pension and terminal entitlements.
By Newshub