[2015] KEELRC 1544 (KLR)
The court found that the Respondent acted unilaterally without consultation or consensus of the other NEC officials, contrary to the requirements of the Union Constitution. The Respondent's conduct was likely to escalate internal union disputes and appeared to be an attempt to usurp the authority of the General...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2015] KEELRC 1544 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Stephen Masika & 3 Others; Respondent: Titus W. Khaemba
- Court
- Employment and Labour Relations Court
- Court Station
- Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nairobi
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Cause 1028 of 2014
- Procedural Posture
- Employment Cause / Interlocutory Application Ruling
- Outcome
- interim_injunction_granted
- Legal Topics
- Trade Union Governance, Interim Injunctions, Union Constitution Interpretation
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Stephen Masika & 3 Others
Applicant
Titus W. Khaemba
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Employment Cause / Interlocutory Application Ruling
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the Deputy General Secretary had lawful authority to convene a National Executive Committee meeting in the absence of the General Secretary.
- 2 Whether the Respondent's actions amounted to usurpation of the General Secretary's powers under the Union Constitution.
- 3 Whether interim orders restraining the Respondent from convening the NEC meeting should be granted.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the Respondent acted unilaterally without consultation or consensus of the other NEC officials, contrary to the requirements of the Union Constitution. The Respondent's conduct was likely to escalate internal union disputes and appeared to be an attempt to usurp the authority of the General Secretary, who, despite being hospitalized, was not proven to be incapable of discharging his duties. No medical evidence was provided to substantiate the claim of incapacity. The court determined that the balance of convenience and the need to preserve the status quo justified granting interim orders restraining the Respondent from convening NEC meetings without the concurrence of...
Court Disposition
interim_injunction_granted
Orders
- The Respondent is prohibited from calling any NEC meeting without concurrence of the NEC officials including the National General Secretary, Chairman and the Treasurer pending the hearing and determination of the main suit.
- Costs in the cause.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
32 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS
COURT OF KENYA AT NAIROBI
CAUSE NO. 1028 OF 2014
STEPHEN MASIKA & 3 OTHERS ………….......................……….CLAIMANTS
VERSUS
TITUS W. KHAEMBA ……………………….........................……RESPONDENT
Mr. Jaoko for Applicants
Mr. Rakoro for Respondent
RULING
1. The Application dated 19th June, 2014 was brought on a Certificate of Urgency seeking interim orders to stop the Deputy General Secretary of Transport workers Union TWU(K) Mr. Titus W. Khaemba from convening a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled to take place on 22nd June, 2014.
2. Temporary restraining orders were granted on 20th June, 2014 and the matter has protracted to date.
3. The Application is supported by the grounds set out on the face of the Application and Supporting Affidavit of the National General Secretary of the Union.
4. At the time, the National General Secretary was hospitalized at the Mater Hospital Nairobi on 31st May, 2014 and has been at the hospital since.
5. The Applicants who included the National Chairman of the Union, the National Treasurer of the Union and the National General Secretary himself stated that the purported NEC meeting called by the Deputy Secretary is illegally scheduled and was not sanctioned by the NEC and that the Deputy General Secretary was merely taking advantage of the sick General Secretary.
6. That there was no emergency to warrant a NEC meeting and the meeting was intended to oust the General Secretary from his office.
7. That there are many disputes pending in court all being secretly sponsored against the National officials by the Deputy General Secretary which include Cause No. 580 of 2014; 1394 of 2011 and 1178 of 2013.
8. In its Replying Affidavit and Written Submissions the Respondent Mr. Titus Khaemba, states that he has lawful authority to call a NEC meeting by dint of Section 15(e) of the Union Constitution which authorizes the National General Secretary to call a NEC meeting and the Respondent has power to act on behalf of the General Secretary when he is absent from office.
9. That the General Secretary has been ill as from 28th May, 2014 and hospitalized until the time of coming to court.
10. That he has no ulterior motive as alleged or at all. That the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Claimants have no authority to include the Union as the 4th Claimant since the 4th Claimant has not lawfully appointed Nchoe Jaoko & Company Advocates to represent it in the matter.
11. That the General Secretary is sick and not in a position to give instructions to commence this suit. That it is important that the affairs of the Union continue while the General Secretary is undergoing treatment.
12. Determination
The Applicants have satisfied the court that the Respondent is acting without consultation and/or consensus of fellow Executive Committee officials.
13. The court is satisfied that this lone ranger conduct by the Respondent is likely to escalate the wrangles in the Union.
14. The court is satisfied that the Respondent intends to usurp the authority and powers of the General Secretary while he is not absent in the sense contemplated under Section 15(e) of the Union Constitution.
15. Indeed the Respondent’s conduct appears to lack any empathy and concern for his ailing colleague but instead seeks to steal the thunder from the General Secretary as it were while he is recuperating in hospital.
16. No medical evidence has been submitted to substantiate the allegation that the General Secretary is incapable of discharging his duties vide the Constitution.
17. For these reasons, the Respondent is prohibited from calling any NEC meeting without concurrence of the NEC officials including the National General Secretary, Chairman and the Treasurer pending the hearing and determination of the main suit.
18. Costs in the cause.
Dated and Delivered at Nairobi this 26th day of February, 2015.
MATHEWS N. NDUMA
PRINCIPAL JUDGE