[2015] KEELRC 1263 (KLR)
The court found that both parties had evidenced their intention to end the employment relationship during the probationary period, and the precise timing of the respective notices was immaterial. The claimant was entitled to salary for October 2010 as acknowledged by the respondent. The respondent's counterclaim was...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2015] KEELRC 1263 (KLR)
- Parties
- Claimant: David Mutinda Ikothya; Respondent: Mathara Holdings Limited
- Court
- Employment and Labour Relations Court
- Court Station
- Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nairobi
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Cause 1023 of 2011
- Procedural Posture
- Employment Cause / Judgment
- Outcome
- partly allowed
- Legal Topics
- Probationary Termination, Employment Contracts, Notice Periods
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
David Mutinda Ikothya
Claimant
Mathara Holdings Limited
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Employment Cause / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the claimant was lawfully terminated or resigned during probationary period.
- 2 Whether the claimant is entitled to salary for October 2010.
- 3 Whether the respondent's counterclaim is merited.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that both parties had evidenced their intention to end the employment relationship during the probationary period, and the precise timing of the respective notices was immaterial. The claimant was entitled to salary for October 2010 as acknowledged by the respondent. The respondent's counterclaim was dismissed for lack of sufficient proof. Each party was ordered to bear their own costs.
Court Disposition
partly allowed
Orders
- The respondent shall pay the claimant his salary for the month of October 2010.
- The respondent's counterclaim is dismissed.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
25 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS COURT
AT NAIROBI
CAUSE NUMBER 1023 OF 2011
DAVID MUTINDA IKOTHYA.........................................CLAIMANT
VERSUS
MATHARA HOLDINGS LIMITED..........................RESPONDENT
JUDGMENT
1. On 14th January, 2015, I directed that this matter be dispensed with by way of written submissions since the issue in dispute was clear and short and did not require any oral hearing as the documents filed were sufficient.
2. The claimant according to his letter of appointment was appointed on 14th August, 2010 at a monthly salary of Kshs.45,000/=. He was to be on probation period for 6 months during which either party could terminate the contract by giving 24 hour notice.
3. According to the claimant and which is not disputed by the respondent, he resigned from his employment on 2nd November, 2010 but in a quick rejoinder, the respondent acknowledged his letter of resignation but stated the same was not necessary since his services had been terminated the previous night. That is to say 1st November, 2010.
4. This is the only issue this Court will determine since the other heads of claim both by the claimant and respondent were not adequately proved.
5. The claimant as said was still on probation when he allegedly resigned or was dismissed as claimed by the respondent. Considering that both parties had through their opposing emails evidenced their intention to end their contractual relationship, the issue of the timing of the respective notices may not be important. The claimant was on probation and he resigned or was terminated by the respondent during the probationary period and in accordance with the stipulations contained in the letter of appointment.
10. The claimant at the point of termination had worked from the month of October for which the respondent acknowledges he should be paid. The Court therefore orders that the claimant be paid his salary for the month of October, 2010.
11. The counterclaim by the respondent was not sufficiently proved and the same is hereby dismissed.
12. Each party to shall bear their own costs of the suit.
Dated at Nairobi this 19th day of March 2015
Abuodha J. N.
Judge
Delivered this 19th day of March 2015
In the presence of:-
…………………………………………………………for the Claimant and
…………………………………………………………for the Respondent.
Abuodha J. N.
Judge