By Hirum Muli,
Kitui County Governor, Charity Ngilu, has been ordered to pay former County Executive Committee member Sh1 million for wrongful termination.
But the Employment and Labour Court dismissed John Makau’s application seeking Sh23.3 million for the irregular sacking, saying the exit claim demanded was motivated by greed.
Justice Monica Mbaru also declined to order Makau’s reinstatement, ruling that no competent court can compel an employer to retain an employee it does not want.
The court ruled that Ngilu and the county breached the law by failing to give the sacked Environment and Natural Resources minister an opportunity to defend himself.
The judge noted that Ngilu’s lawyer, Katunga Mbuvi, who also appeared for the county, produced evidence that the petitioner was a liability as he was not performing his duties well.
The county lawyer told the court that the minister was lazy and was allegedly involved in questionable deals citing an incident where he allegedly obtained over Sh280,000 from women’s group compelling Ngilu to intervene.
