[2016] KEELRC 182 (KLR)
The court found that the claimant's employment and subsequent termination were not disputed by the respondent, who failed to file a response or attend proceedings. The claimant's evidence established that he was dismissed without notice, salary for May 2012, house allowance, or terminal benefits, and was not...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2016] KEELRC 182 (KLR)
- Parties
- Claimant: Vincent Okuku Wandera; Respondent: Joseph Gakani Ndungu
- Court
- Employment and Labour Relations Court
- Court Station
- Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nairobi
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Cause 1430 of 2013
- Procedural Posture
- Employment Cause / Judgment
- Outcome
- claim allowed
- Judges
- HS Wasilwa
- Legal Topics
- Wrongful Termination, Notice Pay, House Allowance, Service Pay, Compensation for Dismissal
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
More case intelligence is available
Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.
Parties
Vincent Okuku Wandera
Claimant
Joseph Gakani Ndungu
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Employment Cause / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the claimant was wrongfully dismissed from employment without notice or lawful cause.
- 2 Whether the claimant is entitled to salary in lieu of notice, unpaid salary, house allowance, service pay, and compensation for wrongful termination.
- 3 Whether the respondent followed due process and principles of natural justice in terminating the claimant.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the claimant's employment and subsequent termination were not disputed by the respondent, who failed to file a response or attend proceedings. The claimant's evidence established that he was dismissed without notice, salary for May 2012, house allowance, or terminal benefits, and was not afforded a hearing. The court held that the respondent failed to follow the mandatory procedures under the Employment Act and principles of natural justice. Consequently, the claimant was entitled to one month's salary in lieu of notice, unpaid salary for May 2012, house allowance, service pay, and compensation for wrongful termination. The total award was KES 133,000 plus costs and...
Court Disposition
claim allowed
Orders
- Respondent to pay claimant KES 133,000 as itemized in the judgment.
- Respondent to pay costs of the suit.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
31 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS COURT
ATNAIROBI
CAUSE NO. 1430 OF 2013
(Before Hon. Justice Hellen S. Wasilwa on 13th December, 2016)
VINCENT OKUKU WANDERA ………...…….…..…..CLAIMANT
VERSUS
JOSEPH GAKANI NDUNGU ……………......…….RESPONDENT
JUDGMENT
1. The Claimant filed suit on 5th September, 2013, through the firm of Khalwale and Company seeking damages for wrongful dismissal.
2. He states that on or about 15th September, 2009, he was employed by the Respondent as a pump attendant at the Respondent’s petrol station earning a basic pay of Shs. 7,000/=. He further states that he served the Respondent diligently and honestly till his services were terminated on 28th May, 2012, without notice, payment of salary for the month of May and terminal benefits.
3. It is the Claimant’s contention that he worked for the Respondent for a total of fourteen months before termination, had not proceeded on leave the entire period he was employed and neither was he paid house allowance. He states that he was dismissed without being heard and the principles of natural justice and the Employment Act were not followed. He prays for judgment against the Respondent in terms set out in the memorandum of Claim.
4. The Respondent entered appearance through the firm of Barongo Ombasa & Company but failed to file a Response to the Claim and as such the matter proceeded as an undefended cause.
5. During the trial the Claimant led evidence as per the Memorandum of Claim and sought for his Claim to be allowed as drawn.
6. From the list of documents filed by the Claimant is an employment card showing that the Claimant was a pump attendant at Kobil Ngong Road where the Respondent was carrying out his business.
7. The Claimant has averred that he served Respondent from 15th September 2009 to 28/5/2012 when he was verbally terminated. His salary was 7,999/= monthly.
8. Having heard the Claimant, I note that his evidence that he was an employee of the Respondent is not controverted. The Respondent was served and since he didn’t attend Court nor file a response, I find the Claimant has established his case on a balance of probabilities and I award him as follows:
1. 1 months salary in lieu of notice = 7,000/=.
2. Salary for May 2012 = 7,000/=.
3. House allowance equivalent to 15% x 7,000 x 20 months = 21,000/=.
4. Service pay equivalent to 15 days salary for each year worked = ½ x 7,000 x 2 = 14,000/=.
5. 12 months salary as compensation for wrongful termination = 12 x 7,000= 84,000/=.
TOTAL = 133,000/=
6. The Respondent will pay costs of this suit.
7. Issuance of Certificate of Service.
Read in open Court this 13th day of December, 2016.
HON. LADY JUSTICE HELLEN WASILWA
JUDGE
In the presence of:
Khalwale for Claimant – Present
No appearance for Respondent