[2015] KEELRC 857 (KLR)

[2015] KEELRC 857 (KLR)

The court found that while the respondent had a valid substantive reason to terminate the claimant's employment—his absence from duty without proper written authorization, which disrupted essential hospital services—the procedure adopted was fatally flawed. The claimant was not informed of the charges against him,...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2015] KEELRC 857 (KLR)
Parties
Applicant: Mathew Sila Kimeu; Respondent: Nyali Children Hospital
Court
Employment and Labour Relations Court
Court Station
Employment and Labour Relations Court at Mombasa
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Cause 364 of 2013
Procedural Posture
Employment Cause / Final Judgment
Outcome
Claim partly allowed; compensation for unfair termination awarded; other monetary claims dismissed.
Legal Topics
Unfair Termination, Summary Dismissal, Procedural Fairness, Certificate of Service, Terminal Dues
Source Language
en
Employment and Labour Unfair Termination Summary Dismissal Procedural Fairness Certificate of Service Terminal Dues

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Mathew Sila Kimeu

Applicant

Nyali Children Hospital

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Employment Cause / Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the respondent terminated the claimant's contract of employment for valid reason under Section 43 and 45 of the Employment Act 2007.
  2. 2 Whether the respondent acted fairly and followed due procedure under Section 41 and 45 of the Employment Act.
  3. 3 Whether the claimant is entitled to the pleaded remedies or any other suitable remedies.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that while the respondent had a valid substantive reason to terminate the claimant's employment—his absence from duty without proper written authorization, which disrupted essential hospital services—the procedure adopted was fatally flawed. The claimant was not informed of the charges against him, was not given an opportunity to explain his absence, and did not appear before any disciplinary panel prior to termination. This failure to follow the statutory requirements of fair hearing and due process under Section 41 and 45 of the Employment Act rendered the termination procedurally unfair. The court therefore awarded the claimant compensation equivalent to three months'...

Court Disposition

Claim partly allowed; compensation for unfair termination awarded; other monetary claims dismissed.

Orders

  • Respondent to pay claimant three months' gross salary at Kshs. 150,000 in compensation for unfair termination within 30 days.
  • Respondent to re-issue an amended Certificate of Service to the claimant within 30 days.