[2022] KEELRC 65 (KLR)
The court found that the respondent failed to justify the termination of the claimant's employment as required by Section 47(5) of the Employment Act, 2007. The claimant established through oral and documentary evidence that he was suspended without pay and subsequently dismissed without notice, valid reason, or a...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2022] KEELRC 65 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Solomon Githinji Thairu; Respondent: Registered Trustees Fatima Mission Hospital
- Court
- Employment and Labour Relations Court
- Court Station
- Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nairobi
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Cause 1708 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Employment Cause / Judgment
- Outcome
- Claim partly allowed; termination declared unfair; compensation and notice pay awarded; costs to claimant.
- Judges
- J Rika
- Legal Topics
- Unfair Termination, Remedies for Unfair Dismissal, Employment Contracts, Compensation for Termination
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Solomon Githinji Thairu
Applicant
Registered Trustees Fatima Mission Hospital
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Employment Cause / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the claimant's contract was unfairly and unlawfully terminated by the respondent.
- 2 Whether the claimant is entitled to the remedies sought for unfair termination.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the respondent failed to justify the termination of the claimant's employment as required by Section 47(5) of the Employment Act, 2007. The claimant established through oral and documentary evidence that he was suspended without pay and subsequently dismissed without notice, valid reason, or a hearing. The respondent did not participate in the proceedings or provide any evidence to counter the claimant's case. The court held that the termination was unfair and unlawful, and awarded the claimant compensation for unfair termination equivalent to five months' salary and one month's salary in lieu of notice. Other claims, such as for allowances, unremitted deductions,...
Court Disposition
Claim partly allowed; termination declared unfair; compensation and notice pay awarded; costs to claimant.
Orders
- It is declared that termination was unfair.
- The respondent shall pay to the claimant Kshs. 221,375 in compensation for unfair termination and Kshs. 44,275 as notice pay, totaling Kshs. 265,650.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
33 paragraphs
Thairu v Registered Trustees Fatima Mission Hospital (Cause 1708 of 2017) [2022] KEELRC 65 (KLR) (Employment and Labour) (27 May 2022) (Judgment)
Neutral citation: [2022] KEELRC 65 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nairobi
Cause 1708 of 2017
J Rika, J
May 27, 2022
Between
Solomon Githinji Thairu
Claimant
and
Registered Trustees Fatima Mission Hospital
Respondent
Judgment
1. This Cause in undefended.
2. It was certified as such by the Court, on 13th October 2021.
3. It was heard and closed on formal proof, on 2nd February 2022.
4. The Claim was filed on 27th August 2017.
5. The Claimant states and testified, that he was employed by the Respondent as a Nurse Anaesthetist, on or around 1st January 2005, on a monthly salary of Kshs. 30,000. His salary was reviewed later to Kshs. 44,275.
6. He was suspended without pay by the Respondent, on 20th February 2016. He resumed on 21st March 2017, when he was unfairly and unlawfully dismissed. He was not issued notice. He was not given valid reason.
7. He prays for Judgment against the Respondent for: -a.1-month salary in lieu of notice at Kshs. 44,275. b.Cell [phone?] allowance December 2016 to February 2017 at Kshs. 67,500. c.Unremitted deductions to Waumini Sacco at Kshs. 557,013. d.Lost dividends and interests at Kshs. 82,486. e.Uniform allowance 2011 to 2016 at Kshs. 60,000. f.Gratuity at 20% for 6 years at Kshs. 637,560. Total…Kshs. 1,448,834. g.Declaration that the Claimant was unfairly and unlawfully terminated.h.Compensation for unfair termination, equivalent of 12 months’ salary at Kshs. 531,300. i.Punitive and aggravated damages.j.Costs.
8. The Claimant adopted his Witness Statement and Documents in his formal proof.
9. The issues are whether the Claimant’s contract was unfairly and unlawfully terminated by the Respondent; and whether the Claimant merits the remedies sought.
The Court Finds: - 10. The Claim is undefended, and from the outset, there is no evidence available to the Court, justifying termination in terms of Section 47[5] of the Employment Act, 2007.
11. The Claimant has through his oral and documentary evidence, established that his contract was unfairly terminated. He discharged his evidential burden under Section 47[5] of the Employment Act, 2007. He was suspended without pay by the Respondent, from 20th February 2016, allegedly for failure to avail certified academic and professional certificates. He was advised his contract would be terminated, if he did not supply these. There no notice of termination. There was no letter to show cause. There was no hearing.
12. He had worked for 5 years. He initially worked on contract which was renewed. He expected to go on working. He did not contribute to the circumstances, leading to termination. He seeks various prayers adopting his basic, rather than gross salary, as the base rate. He is granted compensation for unfair termination, equivalent of 5 months’ salary at Kshs. 221, 375.
13. He is granted notice at Kshs. 44,275.
14. He did not articulate his prayer for car allowance, in his evidence.
15. There was similarly no evidence of unremitted Waumini Sacco deductions. The Claimant did not give details of this prayer. There are entries in the pay slip, indicating that there were Sacco share deductions of Kshs. 3,000 monthly. But there was no evidence from the Claimant, to support his claim, that deductions were not remitted. There is in no evidence for lost dividends and interests, and for uniform allowances. Lastly, the prayer for gratuity is not founded on any law or clause in the contract. The prayer pleaded as cell allowance is not supported by the Claimant’s contract. These prayers are declined.
16. The Claimant has not established the prayer for punitive and aggravated damages for breach of constitutional rights. This is not a constitutional dispute. It is a dispute based on a contract, which is exhibited by the Claimant. The remedies sought are largely based on statutes and contract. There is no constitutional moment in the dispute. Even if there was a constitutional moment, how does the Claimant justify punitive and aggravated damages?
17. Costs to the Claimant.
In Sum, It Is Ordered: -a.It is declared that termination was unfair.b.The Respondent shall pay to the Claimant: Kshs. 221,375 in compensation for unfair termination; and notice at Kshs. 44,275 – Kshs. 265,650. c.Costs to the Claimant.
DATED, SIGNED AND RELEASED TO THE PARTIES ELECTRONICALLY, AT NAIROBI, UNDER THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND JUDICIARY COVID-19 GUIDELINES, THIS 27TH DAY OF MAY 2022. JAMES RIKAJUDGECourt Assistant: Emmanuel KipronoWaiganjo Wachira & Company Advocates for the ClaimantNo appearance for the Respondent