IN THE INDUSTRIAL COURT OF KENYA
AT NAIROBI.
(Before: Charles P. Chemmuttut, J.,
H.B.N. Gicheru & A.K. Kerich, Members.)
CAUSE NO.58 OF 2000.
KENYA UNION OF DOMESTIC, HOTELS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS,
HOSPITALS & ALLIED WORKERS.......................................................................Claimants.
- v -
KILIMANJARO SAFARI CLUB..........................................................................Respondents.
Issue in Dispute:-
“Termination of employees through wrongful redundancy (hereinafter called the grievants), namely:-
1. Raphael Nyonyo 7. Julius M. Syengo
2. Joseph K. Mudanya 8. Kenneth L. Mutunga
3. Ruth Musembi 9. Samuel Oliyo
4. Olive Alu 10. Joseph M. Kitela
5. Agnes Spira 11. Joseph M. Magiri
6. Julius Nyateng 12. Daniel Masila Mutua
13. Francis Maina 34. Charles Mambili
14. Mailu Kitothya 35. Catherene Lewett
15. David Githu 36. Naomi Njeraini
16. Charles Njoroge 37. Sottika Leriro
17. Benedict Kimilu 38. Julieta Kariet
18. Rosemark Akatsa 39. Onica Atieno
19. Berita Mwikali 40. Mutie Mutuku
20. Alphonse Muhanda 41. Rodah Mwangangi
21. John Kinuthia 42. Wilfred Omukura
22. Raphael Wambua 43. Lau Kingode
23. Maundu Kilundo 44. Wilson Mbinga
24. George Wambua 45. Leonard Pang-Pang
25. Kamau Gathua 46. Francis Muriithi
26. Serah Mutuku 47. Robinson Mwachand
27. Islidah Akinyi 48. Bernard Njoroge
28. Hosea Shikoli 49. Ngoka Ngumbao
29. Charles Wambua 50. Titus Ngutho
30. Christopher Njenga 51. Muingai Muchunu
31. Joseph Mutunga 52. William Saya
32. Justus Wafula 53. Enosh Adaga
33. Mutua Kitelo 54. Dedan Adika
55. Simon Kimotho 76. Simon Kioko
56. Benjamin Mulatya 77. James Musyoka Manyi
57. Benson Ndikolo 78. Cleophas Wabomba
58. Patrick Njoroge 79. Joseph Ngutho
59. Samuel Kalalya 80. Patric Nyamai
60. Joram Lisanza 81. Stephen Njenga
61. Anderson Mbithuka 82. Henry K. Muli
62. Joseph Mwashigadi 83. Peter Sila
63. Patrick Mutisya 84. Edward K. Kibiti
64. Jessee Njiraini 85. Joab Amanya
65. Charles K. Kabeni 86. Elija Njue
66. Joel Mwambacha 87. Joshua A. Lipesa
67. Annastasia Mueni 88. Richard Tito
68. Albert Alijanda 89. Dickson Kilonzo
69. Paul Mwololo 90. Sumulex Ole Nkijsho
70. Mukenga Kilundo 91. Ole Nkooya
71. Geoffrey Mwatha 92. Njuguna Mwangi
72. Ernest Mokavero 93. Onesmus Makewa
73. Muthani Kamuya 94. Joshua Muasya
74. Musa Obiero 95. Peter Mutua
75. Benedict Muindi 96. Benson Matheri
97. Mwonga Kinyanjui 118. Geoffrey Munyao
98. Jackson Kilango 119. Benedict Mutuku
99. David Muni Dishon 120. George Njoroge
100. Doreen M. Kale 121. Kioko Nyangi
101. Ngula Mutunga 122. Harrison Fondo
102. Albanus Mwaura 123. Elias Mruma
103. John Abdul Tambo 124. Moses Olango
104. Mutula Munyalo 125. Ishmael Chengo
105. Daniel Munyala 126. Cornel Otieno
106. Rakoi Ole Papai 127. Kalunda Muindi
107. Mwangangi Nguli 128. Joseph Ndavi
108. Joyce Saroa John 129. Paul Masavu
109. Samuel Opi 130. Peter Nzelu
110. David Matata 131. Philip Muindi
111. David Sapala 132. Metui Ole Muiru
112. Jacob Kimaita 133. Patrick Wambua
113. Paul Kitwanja 134. Daniel Kinyanjui
114. Bernard Kamau 135. Patrick Majoni
115. Georgina Muthoni 136. James Kasivu
116. Patrick Mutisya 137. Mositet Ole Sintila
117. Maurice Linzalia 138. Henry Ogango
139. James Nzomo 160. Paul Kyangute
140. Peter Mbuvi 161. Nathan Akatsa
141. Joseph Katana 162. Peter M. Mureithi
142. Ephantus Kamunyu 163. Gabriel Wambua
143. Leonard Kitela 164. Ethern Wasike
144. Wilfred Muiya 165. Titus Kyalo
145. David Musila 166. Metui Ole Suiyanka
146. Ngigi Ngungu 167. Jane Odhiambo
147. John Njuguna 168. Joyce Nyangasi
148. Elijah Njoroge 169. Kennedy Omukuba
149. Sunte Mpaayo 170. Charles Ole Tiptip
150. Stephen Muilu 171. Esther Owuor
151. Jonathan Mwakoto 172. Kahol Ole Siton
152. Mwangi Nyamanduru 173. Saruni Ole Sharua
153. Stephen Mutinda 174. Zacharia Mucheru
154. Musyoka Moki 175. Stanley A. Lipesa
155. Javan Luvisi 176. Sipannta Kurambe
156. Boniface Mutia 177. Philip Murikut
157. Dominic Wambua 178. Patrick Nyaneweso
158. Peter Munywoki 179. Ngalania Ole Koijla
159. David Kiarie 180. Anastasia Kalondo
181. Sabina Soila 202. Annastasia Wambua
182. Margaret Nyokabi 203. Jane Wambui
183. Peter Mwangi 204. Sera Bakari
184. Peter Onyango 205. Patrick Mwithya
185. Nkarat Ole Nkooya 206. Philip M. Kinyumu
186. Oloitotton solonka 207. Stephen Charo
187. George M. Musa 208. Kimetu Kilelo
188. Peter K. Kibet 209. Robert Mwani
189. Boniface Gacuhi 210. Kamau Mwangi
190. Munkas Lenkutulk 211. John L. Lumuli
191. Edith Amaingu 212. Gabriel Wambua
192. Bernard Kiamba 213. Ethern Wasike
193. James O. Mugele 214. Titus Kyalo
194. Gideon Munyao 215. Metui Ole Suiyanka
195. Daniel K. Kyengo 216. Jane Odhiambo
196. Kabungo Kivulo 217. Joyce Nyangasi
197. Susan Njeri 218. Kennedy Omukuba
198. Martin Odhiambo
199. John Amwayi
200. Arexides bukhala
201. Stephen Ajega
Mwari S. Njiru for the Claimants (hereinafter called the Union).
No appearance for the Respondents (hereinafter called the Club).
A W A R D.
On 23rd May 2000, the Minister for Labour referred this dispute to the Court for adjudication and determination in exercise of the powers vested in him by Section 8 of the Trade Disputes Act, Cap.234, Laws of Kenya (which is hereinafter referred to as the Act). The reference, together with the statutory certificates from the Minister himself and the Labour Commissioner under Section 14, subsection (9)(e) and (f) of the Act, were received by the Court on 24th May 2000, and the dispute was listed for mention on 14th June 2000. On this occasion, Mr. Mwari appeared for the Union and Mr. R.M. Muthanga, Executive Officer, F.K.E., appeared for the Club. The Personnel Manager of the Club, Mr. Philip Koech, was also present or in attendance. The dispute was fixed for hearing on 7th September 2000, and meanwhile, the Union were directed to submit their memorandum on or before 14th July 2000, and the Club were ordered to file their reply statement on or before 31st August 2000. The Union submitted their memorandum on 18th July, 2000, but the Club did not file any reply statement thereto as ordered hereinabove. On 1st September 2000, Mrs. M. Onyango, Executive Officer, F.K.E., for the Club requested for a another mention on 7th September 2000, instead of a hearing, on the ground that she had not received a copy of the memorandum submitted by the Union. The dispute was, however, listed for a further mention on 11th October 2000, when Messrs. Mwari and Muthanga appeared for the parties respectively. On this date, the case was rescheduled by mutual agreement for hearing on 30th January 2001, and meanwhile the Club were allowed to file their reply statement on or before 10th November 2000. They did not submit the same and no reasons were given for their default. On 30th January, 2001, Mrs. Onyango for the Club applied to withdraw from the case for lack of instructions. The application was granted, and the matter was heard ex-parte.
The parties have a recognition agreement and have also entered into several collective agreements which regulate the terms and conditions of service of the unionisable employees. On careful perusal of the submission by the Union, I note that this dispute was processed through all the normal stages of the pre-Industrial Court machinery; and it was mutually agreed by the parties that the employees’ terminal benefits stood at Kshs.11,242,524/=. Consequently, it was conceded by Mr. Mwari for the Union, the Club made part payment thereof, amounting to Kshs. 6,000,000/=, leaving a balance of Kshs.5,242,524/=. He, therefore, prayed that the grievants be paid the aforementioned outstanding balance of Kshs.5,242,524/= forthwith.
As the Club neglected and/or refused to file their reply statement to the memorandum of the Union and were also absent during the hearing, despite having been notified to attend and file the same, I have, therefore, no reason to disbelieve the case of the Union. In the circumstances, I allow the demand as prayed for hereinabove by the Union and order the Club to pay the said outstanding balance of Kshs.5,242,524/= within thirty(30) days from the date of this award.
The members did not offer their opinion or advice on this matter.
DATED and delivered at Nairobi this 9th day of March, 2001.
Charles P. Chemmuttut,
JUDGE.