A Kenyan man who lost his job 15 years ago has finally received closure after a long legal battle that saw him sue his former employer for unfair termination and demand KSh 3.1 million in compensation.
The case, which has dragged through the courts for over a decade, was concluded at the end of 2025, bringing an end to one of the country’s prolonged employment disputes.
The man told the court that he was dismissed without due process, arguing that the company failed to give him a valid reason for termination or follow the procedures outlined in Kenya’s labour laws.
He said the sudden loss of his job caused severe financial strain, disrupted his career progression, and affected his family’s wellbeing. On these grounds, he sought compensation for lost income, emotional distress, and damages for what he described as unfair labour practices.
In response, the company maintained that the termination was lawful, insisting that it had acted within its internal policies and that the employee’s conduct justified dismissal. The employer also argued that the compensation sought was excessive, especially considering the time that had passed since the termination.
In his judgment, the presiding judge acknowledged that the case had taken an unusually long time to conclude, noting that such delays often worsen the emotional and financial toll on litigants.
After reviewing the evidence, the court found that the company did not fully comply with the required disciplinary procedures at the time of dismissal. However, the judge also ruled that the former employee had not sufficiently proved entitlement to the full amount claimed.
As a result, the court awarded the man KSh 750,000 as compensation for unfair termination, significantly lower than the KSh 3.1 million he had sought. Each party was ordered to bear its own legal costs, with the judge urging employers and employees alike to resolve disputes early to avoid lengthy court processes.
The ruling underscores the importance of following proper labour procedures and highlights the reality that court outcomes may differ greatly from initial claims.
By Nairobinews