[2022] KEELRC 688 (KLR)
The court determined that the central issues in dispute—whether the consent dated 29th March, 2017 was implemented and whether the claimant has standing to represent the grievants—are factual matters that cannot be resolved through written submissions alone. The absence of evidence regarding the grievants'...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2022] KEELRC 688 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA Workers); Respondent: Kenyatta Secondary School
- Court
- Employment and Labour Relations Court
- Court Station
- Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nakuru
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Cause 266 of 2018
- Procedural Posture
- Employment Cause / Directions Prior to Judgment; Matter Set for Viva Voce Hearing
- Outcome
- Order for viva voce hearing; previous order for written submissions set aside.
- Judges
- DN Nderitu
- Legal Topics
- Consent Implementation, Locus Standi, Oral Evidence Requirement
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA Workers)
Applicant
Kenyatta Secondary School
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Employment Cause / Directions Prior to Judgment; Matter Set for Viva Voce Hearing
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the consent dated 29th March, 2017 was implemented by the respondent.
- 2 Whether the claimant has legal capacity and standing to file the cause on behalf of the grievants.
- 3 Whether the issues in dispute can be determined by written submissions or require viva voce evidence.
Ratio Decidendi
The court determined that the central issues in dispute—whether the consent dated 29th March, 2017 was implemented and whether the claimant has standing to represent the grievants—are factual matters that cannot be resolved through written submissions alone. The absence of evidence regarding the grievants' membership in the claimant union and the conflicting positions on consent implementation necessitate the taking of oral and documentary evidence. The court found that its earlier direction to dispose of the matter by written submissions was an oversight, as the issues require a viva voce hearing to ensure a fair and just determination. Accordingly, the court set aside the previous order...
Court Disposition
Order for viva voce hearing; previous order for written submissions set aside.
Orders
- The court order/direction of 24/11/2021 for disposal by written submissions is set aside.
- The matter shall proceed by way of viva voce hearing with oral and documentary evidence.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
30 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS COURT OF KENYA AT NAKURU
CAUSE NO. 266 OF 2018
KENYA UNION OF DOMESTIC, HOTELS,
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, HOSPITALS
AND ALLIED WORKERS (KUDHEIHA WORKERS)...................CLAIMANT
VERSUS
KENYATTA SECONDARY SCHOOL.........................................RESPONDENT
DIRECTIONS
This court has gone through this file in readiness to writing and delivering a Judgment in this cause. However, this court is unable to deliver the Judgment for the reasons enlisted below and gives the directions as hereunder.
This is an old matter that was filed in court on 15th November, 2018. Before the matter was filed in court the parties had entered into a consent dated 29th March, 2017.
The Respondent has pleaded and submitted that it has already implemented the said consent while the Claimant states that the said consent has not been implemented.
That is an issue that can only be heard and determined by way of viva voce evidence because it is a matter of fact that cannot be resolved and or determined by way of written submissions from the bar.
The Respondent has also raised the issue of the legal capacity and standing of the Claimant in filing this cause for and on behalf of the Grievants.
There is no evidence on record as to whether the Grievants are members of the Claimant. This again is a matter of fact that can only be heard, resolved, and determined based on adduction of evidence.
This court has gone through the written submissions by the parties herein and the same do not answer to the above issues and others that would enable this court to render a well reasoned, fair, and just Judgment.
The directions given by this court on 24/11/2021, with the consent of both parties, that this matter be disposed of by way of written submissions was clearly an oversight on the part of this court as the issues for determination have not been effectively answered by way of written submissions.
In the circumstances, suo moto, this court orders and directs as follows;-
1. THAT the court order/direction of 24/11/2021, to the effect that this matter be disposed of by way of written submissions be and is hereby set aside.
2. THAT this matter shall now proceed by way of viva voce hearing where oral and documentary evidence shall be tendered.
3. THAT both parties are hereby granted leave to amend pleadings and or file such other documents, statements, or pleadings as they may wish within 30 days of these directions.
4. THAT this matter be mentioned on 16th March, 2022 for pre-trial directions.
DAVID NDERITU
JUDGE
23/02/2022
These directions have been given pursuant to Section 1A, 1B, 3, and 3A of the Civil Procedure Act (Cap 21),andSection 3 of the Employment and Labour Relations Court Act No. 20 of 2011; and Articles 159 (2) (a) (b) (d) of the Constitution.
................................
DAVID NDERITU
JUDGE
23/02/2022