Digital media strategist, Dennis Itumbi was awarded Ksh630,000 as compensation for unfair dismissal by the previous administration.
According to Labour Court judge Jacob Gakeri, the government did not comply with the Employment law when dismissing Itumbi.
Judge Gakeri noted that the digital strategist was not issued a warning or disciplinary letter before his dismissal.
A wide angle photo of State House taken on March 2021.
PSCU
While citing the Employment Act, of 2007, the judge noted that the government did not guarantee fairness in the process.
“The respondents may have had a valid and fair reason to terminate the petitioner’s employment but did not comply with the requirements of the provisions of the Employment Act, 2007, to guarantee procedural fairness in the process,” Justice Gikeri stated as quoted by The Standard.
The Employment Act, of 2007 outlines the proper procedure to be followed when terminating an employment contract and summarily dismissing. This means that either party initiating the termination must give adequate notice, or pay the other party in lieu of notice.
During the mid-pandemic, Itumbi argued that he was terminated after his office was abolished due to reorganisation.
The digital strategist alleged that his dismissal did not follow the due procedure required by law. Itumbi, who was employed on July 9, 2014, sued the Public Service Commission (PSC) over bias while abolishing his office.
In a rejoinder, PSC had argued that the State House sought to create another position for him under the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU).
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently pointed out the vital role of Itumbi in President William Ruto’s government, terming him as Mr.Fix it.
“For now he has no physical office, but he is the president’s right-hand man because he fixes issues. He is that guy,” Gachagua stated during the Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service at Kirinyaga County on Sunday, January 22.
File image of a court gavel
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