Don Seeks Sh26 Million From Strathmore University for 'Career Sabotage'

Strathmore University is engaged in a legal dispute with a former senior staff member.

This may result in the university paying a substantial sum of money as compensation and damages for infringing on property rights. Professor Fred Ogola, who worked as a senior lecturer at the institution for nine years, has now taken legal action seeking compensation amounting to Sh26,160,750, along with accrued interest. The case is currently awaiting judgment in the High Court and is based on allegations of copyright infringement. Concerns raised over this matter have been taken up by both the Employment and Labour Relations Court, as well as the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.

Professor Ogola is claiming that his intellectual property rights and career were undermined by his former employer, as stated by his attorney, Morara Omoke. Specifically, he alleges that he was denied access to his university email, depriving him of his 12 years' worth of painstaking teaching notes. These notes consisted of valuable research materials, consultancy tools, book projects, and publications, all of which were stored in his university email account.

Furthermore, the denial of access to his electronic equipment has had a detrimental impact on his professional trajectory, making it exceedingly difficult for him to continue his career and generate income through consultancy and research endeavours. The lost literacy works including a book titled Solomonic Economic Model, weekly publications, and consulting presentations, are the basis for his claim.

The total amount sought includes Sh75,000 for salary arrears, Sh1,125,000 for three months' salary in lieu of notice as stated in the plaintiff's contract, and Sh4,093,750 for compensation of accrued leave days. During his tenure at Strathmore University from May 1, 2012, to April 6, 2023, he claims to have never taken any leave, instead teaching and generating income for the university through the fees paid by students. The unpaid hours, totalling 500 hours, go as far back as 2021 and are to be compensated at a rate of Sh12,000 per hour, amounting to Sh6,000,000.