Labour Court orders Kirinyaga County Governor Waiguru to pay Judy Kinyua Sh3.3 million compensation fee for wrongful dismissal

Court orders Waiguru to pay former official Sh3.3 million

Mark Mwithaga

February 20, 2019 4:05 PM

Waiguru back on the spot

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru

A Labour Court on Wednesday ordered Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru’s government to pay Judy Kinyua, a former county CEC, Sh3.3 million.

The order came after it was established that Kinyua was unlawfully dismissed from her work.

Kenyan High court. ece-auto-gen

The former county official had in September 2018 sued the county government for illegal termination of employment and demanded a compensation fee of Sh16.2 million.

Kinyua, who was in charge of the Gender and Social Services department, had been relieved of her duties by the county executive committee over allegations of incompetence and under-performance.

Waiguru accused of denying Kinyua a fair hearing

Her lawyer Wahome Thuku stated that the lady had been denied a fair hearing and reasons for suspension from duty by Waiguru.

“The Governor failed to exercise her authority in a manner that is consistent with the purpose and objects of the constitution as required under Article 73 (1). Everyone has a right to fair labour practices, which right was denied and breached by the Governor and the county government,” remarked Thuku.

Lawyer Wahome Thuku addressing the public during a past function ece-auto-gen

The lawyer further pointed out that Kinyua was suspended in July without any warning and later sacked in August.

“Prior to the suspension, the petitioner had never been given any warning whether in writing or in any other form by the Governor regarding her performance. She had never been summoned or interrogated by the County Assembly,” explained Kinyua’s lawyer.

The former CEC had highlighted that she had valid expectations that she would not be dismissed arbitrarily without justification before the completion of Waiguru’s tenure in office.

Mark Mwithaga