Court orders Geothermal Development Company to pay dismissed staff

The Labour and Employment Relations Court in Nakuru has ordered the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) to pay a dismissed laboratory technician Ksh670,000 as compensation.

Justice Stephen Radido in his Judgement ruled that the company breached employment contracts of Mr Wylis Okeyo by dismissing him without granting him the right to fair hearing.

GDC dismissed Okeyo, who had been employed on a two-year contract, on allegations that he had forged a letter to secure a credit card from a bank.

“He sought audience from Nairobi after his dismissal but was not summoned before any committee but instead he was dismissed,” said Justice Radido.

The respondents, through their lawyer, alleged that Okeyo was given a show course letter to appear before a disciplinary committee in 72 hours but he declined.

However, Okeyo’s advocate revealed that his client had not forged the letter, adding that the person who had forged the letter had been charged and convicted by a Nakuru court.

“Geothermal Development Company breached their disciplinary procedure, the dismissal was unfair,” ruled Justice Radido, adding that the company failed to recall Okeyo even after the suspect was charged and convicted in 2014.

“The dismissal from employment was unfair and the company failed to pay him his terminal dues,” he said.

The court ordered that Okeyo be paid 10 months gross wages and Ksh670,000 as compensation.