[2013] KEELRC 656 (KLR)

[2013] KEELRC 656 (KLR)

The court found that the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Respondents were aware of the court orders issued on 1st July 2013, both through substituted and personal service, and that their actions and public statements demonstrated willful disobedience. The union officials had the authority and responsibility to call off the strike...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2013] KEELRC 656 (KLR)
Parties
Applicant: Teachers Service Commission; Respondent: Kenya National Union of Teachers; Respondent: Wilson Sossion; Respondent: Mudzo Nzili
Court
Employment and Labour Relations Court
Court Station
Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nairobi
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Petition 23 of 2013
Procedural Posture
Contempt Application / Ruling on Contempt Application and Penalty
Outcome
Application for contempt allowed; Respondents found in contempt and penalized.
Judges
L Ndolo
Legal Topics
Contempt of Court, Industrial Action, Union Responsibility, Personal Service, Enforcement of Court Orders
Source Language
en
Employment and Labour Civil Procedure Contempt of Court Industrial Action Union Responsibility Personal Service Enforcement of Court Orders

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Parties

Teachers Service Commission

Applicant

Kenya National Union of Teachers

Respondent

Wilson Sossion

Respondent

Mudzo Nzili

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Contempt Application / Ruling on Contempt Application and Penalty

  1. 1 Whether the respondents were in contempt of the court orders issued on 1st July 2013.
  2. 2 Whether personal service or knowledge of the court order is required for contempt proceedings.
  3. 3 Whether the officials of the union were responsible for ensuring compliance with the court order by union members.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Respondents were aware of the court orders issued on 1st July 2013, both through substituted and personal service, and that their actions and public statements demonstrated willful disobedience. The union officials had the authority and responsibility to call off the strike and ensure compliance with the court order. The court held that knowledge of the order, even absent personal service, was sufficient for contempt where the contemnors acted with awareness. The standard of proof for contempt was met, as the Respondents failed to provide a credible explanation for their non-compliance and took no meaningful steps to comply even after personal...

Court Disposition

Application for contempt allowed; Respondents found in contempt and penalized.

Orders

  • The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) shall pay a fine of Kshs. 5,000,000, recoverable from union dues and paid to court within 30 days.
  • Wilson Sossion shall pay a fine of Kshs. 500,000 and in default be committed to civil jail for 30 days, effective immediately.