[2018] KEELRC 739 (KLR)
The court found that the claimant had established his employment as a night guard with the respondent from 1 April 2004 and that he was not paid the statutory minimum wage, house allowance, or gratuity as required by law. The respondent failed to file a defence or attend the hearing, and the claimant's evidence was...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2018] KEELRC 739 (KLR)
- Parties
- Claimant: Kambo Kamau Mahinda; Respondent: Chairman, Secretary A,C,K Diocese of Mount Kenya South Emmanuel Church Kierenye Parish
- Court
- Employment and Labour Relations Court
- Court Station
- Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nairobi
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Cause 1349 of 2014
- Procedural Posture
- Employment Cause / Judgment
- Outcome
- judgment for the claimant
- Judges
- B Ongaya
- Legal Topics
- Terminal Benefits, Minimum Wage, House Allowance, Gratuity, Certificate of Service
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Kambo Kamau Mahinda
Claimant
Chairman, Secretary A,C,K Diocese of Mount Kenya South Emmanuel Church Kierenye Parish
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Employment Cause / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the claimant was entitled to underpayments in salary and house allowance based on statutory minimum wages.
- 2 Whether the claimant was entitled to gratuity for years served as per the Regulation of Wages (Protective Security Services) Order, 1998.
- 3 Whether the claimant was entitled to accrued leave and a certificate of service.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the claimant had established his employment as a night guard with the respondent from 1 April 2004 and that he was not paid the statutory minimum wage, house allowance, or gratuity as required by law. The respondent failed to file a defence or attend the hearing, and the claimant's evidence was uncontroverted. The court applied the relevant wage regulations and the Employment Act, finding that the claimant was entitled to underpayments, gratuity, accrued leave, and a certificate of service. Judgment was entered in favour of the claimant for the amounts claimed, with interest and costs awarded.
Court Disposition
judgment for the claimant
Orders
- The respondent shall pay the claimant Kshs.818,086.90 by 31 December 2018, failing which interest at court rates shall accrue from 13 August 2014 until full payment.
- The respondent shall deliver the claimant's certificate of service by 1 December 2018.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
23 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI
CAUSE NO.1349 OF 2014
KAMBO KAMAU MAHINDA.............................................................................CLAIMANT
-VERSUS
CHAIRMAN, SECRETARY A,C,K DIOCESE OF MOUNT KENYA
SOUTH EMMANUEL CHURCH KIERENYE PARISH.............................RESPONDENT
(Before Hon. Justice Byram Ongaya on Friday 2nd November, 2018)
JUDGMENT
The claimant filed the memorandum of claim on 13. 08. 2014 in person. The claimant prayed for judgment against the respondent for:
a) An order that the respondent do issue certificate of Employment to the claimant.
b) An order that the respondent do pay the claimant Kshs.818, 086. 90 (being under payments in salary and house allowance throughout service, 162 days gratuity for 9 years served, and accrued leave for 10 months (30) days.)
c) Cost of action.
d) Interest at 12% until the amount is paid in full.
The underpayments as claimed are based on minimum wages under the Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Orders for 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. Regulation 5 of the Regulation of Wages (Protective Security Services) Order, 1998 provides for 15% of the wage as due house allowance where the employee is not provided housing accommodation. The regulations also provide for rest days, work on public holidays, and, leave travelling allowance and overtime. Regulation 17 (1) thereof provides for gratuity after 2 years’ service at 18 days for every completed year of service based on employee’s wage at time of termination.
Despite service the respondent did not file a defence and did not attend the hearing. The Claimant testified to support his case. The Court has considered the material on record. The Court returns that the claimant has established that the respondent employed him as a night guard from 01. 04. 2004. The claimant’s case was that he became sick and he served the chairman of the respondent a three months termination notice effective 03. 08. 2013 which lapsed on 31. 10. 2013. He claimed terminal dues as prayed for in the memorandum of claim. The Court has considered all the material on record and returns that the claimant has established his claims and is awarded as prayed for.
In conclusion judgment is hereby entered for the claimant against the respondent for:
a) Payment of Kshs.818, 086. 90 by 31. 12. 2018 failing interest at Court rates to be payable thereon from the date of filing of the suit 13. 08. 2014 till full payment.
b) The respondent to deliver the claimant’s certificate of service by 01. 12. 2018.
c) The respondent to pay the claimant’s costs of the suit.
Signed, datedanddeliveredin court atNairobithisFriday 2nd November, 2018.
BYRAM ONGAYA
JUDGE