Kenya Union of Clinical Officers & 76 others v County Government of Vihiga [2023] KEELRC 3148 (KLR)

Kenya Union of Clinical Officers & 76 others v County Government of Vihiga (Cause 32 of 2021) [2023] KEELRC 3148 (KLR) (30 November 2023) (Judgment)

Neutral citation: [2023] KEELRC 3148 (KLR)

Republic of Kenya

In the Employment and Labour Relations Court at Bungoma

Cause 32 of 2021

JW Keli, J

November 30, 2023

Between

Kenya Union of Clinical Officers & 76 others

Claimant

and

County Government of Vihiga

Respondent

Judgment

1. The Court on the 26th May 2023 delivered its Judgment in this suit and directed the parties to file agreement on payable salary arrears. There was no agreement. Each party filed own computation. The Claimant’s computation was filed in court on the 12th June 2023. The Respondent filed and later withdrew initial computation for 64 persons and later substituted it with a computation received in court on 24th October 2023 but for only 33 persons indicating they did not get records for 36 of the Claimants.

2. The parties having not agreed I proceed to compute and award the salary arrears.

3. The Claimants relied on the evidence of CW1,CW2 and CW3. CW1 was a union representative. CW2 Vonyoli Ibrahim was a test claimant and led evidence on the salary arrears and was cross-examined. The Court after the hearing held CW2 salary arrears amounted to 20 months (paragraph 51 of the Judgment). CW3 evidence was to effect his salary arrears was 23 months. I adopt the position of CW2 to bind Claimants with claims of 20 months and above as these employees were employed at same period and their circumstances were similar and I have seen other Claimants with 20 months claim. It is more probable the arrears were for 20 months for the majority save for those who left. The Claimants with claim of less than 20 months had either resigned or transferred. The Court takes their claim as stated.

4. The Court noted discrepancy in the computations filed by the parties of the gross salary. The Claimant stated Kshs. 81,780/- while the Respondent stated Kshs. 23,780/-. The Court noted at the hearing the schedule presented for arrears by the Claimant had Kshs. 81780/- as gross salary and the Respondent did not challenge that position. At this stage the Court must apply gross salary of Kshs. 81680/- as at trial which it proceeds to.FInal Orders on payable salary arrears to the Claimants in the claim1. Vonyoli Ibrahim Kegoye 20 months@ 81780=1635,6002. Walter Adoli Kisumbi 20 months@ 81780=1635,6003. Japheth Mukabwa 20 months@ 81780=1635,6004. BillCaxton Endowo 20 months@ 81780=1635,6005. Boaz Akolo 20 months@ 81780=1635,6006. George Akoth 20 months@ 81780=1635,6007. Elvis Amuni 20 months@ 81780=1635,6008. Rhodah Cheloti 20 months@ 81780=1635,6009. Rhina Akoya 20 months@ 81780=1635,60010. Brenda Aloo Omondi 20 months@ 81780=1635,60011. Lauren Andemo 20 months@ 81780=1635,60012. Emmanuel Okoto Opiayo 20 months@ 81780=1635,60013. Hosborn Juma 20 months@ 81780=1635,60014. Brolyne Omondi 20 months@ 81780=1635,60015. Thomas Ogolla Anyona 20 months@ 81780=1635,60016. Evelyne Atieno Oloo 20 months@ 81780=1635,60017. Monica Kwamboka Otiso 20 months@ 81780=1635,60018. Dennis Riziki Akoyo 20 months@ 81780=1635,60019. Christine Anyango Odhiambo 20 months@ 81780=1635,60020. Elizabeth Atieno Otiende 20 months@ 81780=1635,60021. Christopher Tunya Kachelo 20 months@ 81780=1635,60022. Musa Sakwa 20 months@ 81780=1635,60023. Antony Erick Otieno 20 months@ 81780=1635,60024. Georgiadis Wafula Mukwana 8months @81780/- =654,24025. Esther Amoding 20 months@ 81780=1635,60026. Evans Oduory Owino 8 months @81780/- =654,24027. Nicholas Karani Esekwe 20 months@ 81780=1635,60028. Jackyline Vuguta 20 months@ 81780=1635,60029. Maillah Simwa 20 months@ 81780=1635,60030. John Savala 20 months@ 81780=1635,60031. Tiema Pepetwah 20 months@ 81780=1635,60032. Cyrus Amena 20 months@ 81780=1635,60033. Lilian Monyani 20 months@ 81780=1635,60034. Nicholas Tenga Abwao 20 months@ 81780=1635,60035. Susan Ngadima Agona 20 months@ 81780=1635,60036. Vitalis Oloo Kaunya Kasiba 20 months@ 81780=1635,60037. Benard Karioki 20 months@ 81780=1635,60038. Saul Esipa Omuyoyi 20 months@ 81780=1635,60039. Kimtai George 20 months@ 81780=1635,60040. Sebby Edda Inyangu 20 months@ 81780=1635,60041. Millicent Obiero 20 months@ 81780=1635,60042. Odhiambo Abdalla Yusuf 20 months@ 81780=1635,60043. Jairus Bhati Otanga 20 months@ 81780=1635,60044. Bonface Ngusale 20 months@ 81780=1635,60045. Ruth Gwaro 20 months@ 81780=1635,60046. Nivah Ingati 20 months@ 81780=1635,60047. Ronoh Benard 14 months @ 81,780/-=1,144,92048. Wycliffe Asenji Otano 20 months@ 81780=1635,60049. Obino Tai Fred 20 months@ 81780=1635,60050. Kayinzili Linda 20 months@ 81780=1635,60051. Shitandi Pauline Eshisila 20 months@ 81780=1635,60052. Ronoh Kipkoech 20 months@ 81780=1635,60053. Hellen Kadenyi Munde 20 months@ 81780=1635,60054. William Okuru Odindo 20 months@ 81780=1635,60055. Carolyne Nyandiga 20 months@ 81780=1635,60056. Annaline Jebichy 20 months@ 81780=1635,60057. Deceased( Elma Mukhanji Shitsukhane)-58. Mark Karani Tabu 20 months@ 81780=1635,60059. Kipkorir Stephen Kibwareng’ 20 months@ 81780=1635,60060. Lilian Kandenyi Aywa 20 months@ 81780=1635,60061. Ezra Okaka Erick 20 months@ 81780=1635,60062. Jackson Chagwa 20 months@ 81780=1635,60063. Kevin Asunda Jumba 20 months@ 81780=1635,60064. Sizco Jebitok 20 months@ 81780=1635,60065. Carolyne Kemunto Mokaya 20 months@ 81780=1635,60066. Ogola Livingstone Amugune 20 months@ 81780=1635,60067. Nancy Akinyi Odipo 20 months@ 81780=1635,60068. Millicent Obindi 8 months @81780=654,24069. Nancy Amadi 6 months @81780 =490,680

5. All amounts payable to the 68 Claimants subject to statutory deductions.

6. It is so ordered.

DATED, SIGNED & DELIVERED IN OPEN COURT AT KAKAMEGA THIS 30TH NOVEMBER 2023. JEMIMAH KELI,JUDGE.In The Presence Of:-Court Assistant : Brenda WesongaFor Claimant : MunyoriFor Respondent:- Aresa h/b Mukabi