Kenya Airports Authority managing director Stephen Gichuki is now free to resume his duties after the parastatal's board rescinded a decision sending him on compulsory leave.

The board agreed at the Industrial Court to settle the dispute before Justice D.K.N. Marete. Gichuki was sent on compulsory leave on August 23 for failing to implement decisions of the board. But he sued arguing that the decision was "unfair, unreasonable and malicious".

Gichuki claimed that it was made unlawfully and unprocedural because he was not given any notice of the allegations brought against him and an opportunity to respond. He got into trouble after he ignored a board directive to cancel the tender awarded to a Chinese company for the expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

He said declined to cancel the tender on the advise of the Attorney General, adding that there is nothing to warrant the termination as the contract as the tendering process was done in accordance with the provisions of the law of public procurement. The Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) appeal board gave its nod to the tender and directed the board to sign the deal within 30 days.

"I have never been subject of any disciplinary procedure or inquiry by KAA that would warrant my sending on compulsory leave as purported," he sad. He argues that the decision was made in an illegally convened meeting by Board of Directors of KAA.

"I was never consulted or notified of the said meeting," he said. The Sh55 billion tender for the expansion of the airport known as Greenfield Terminal Complex and associated works, was awarded to An Hui Construction Engineering Group and China Aero-technology International Engineering Corporation.