KENYA UNION OF DOMESTIC, HOTELS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, HOSPITALS & ALLIED WORKERS v KILIMANJARO SAFARI CLUB [2001] KEELRC 1 (KLR)

IN THE INDUSTRIAL COURT OF KENYA

AT NAIROBI.

(Before: Charles P. Chemmuttut, J.,

H.B.N. Gicheru & A.K. Kerich, Members.)

CAUSE NO.58 OF 2000.

KENYA UNION OF DOMESTIC, HOTELS,EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS,

HOSPITALS& ALLIED WORKERS.......................................................................Claimants.

-   v   -

KILIMANJARO SAFARI CLUB..........................................................................Respondents.

Issue in Dispute:-

“Termination of employees through wrongful redundancy (hereinafter called the grievants), namely:-

1.      Raphael Nyonyo                7.      Julius M. Syengo

2.      Joseph K. Mudanya           8.      Kenneth L. Mutunga

3.      Ruth Musembi                   9.      Samuel Oliyo

4.      Olive Alu                          10.    Joseph M. Kitela

5.      Agnes Spira                     11.    Joseph M. Magiri

6.      Julius Nyateng                  12.    Daniel Masila Mutua

13. Francis Maina34.    Charles Mambili

14. Mailu Kitothya35.    Catherene Lewett

15. David Githu36.    Naomi Njeraini

16. Charles Njoroge37.    Sottika Leriro

17. Benedict Kimilu38.    Julieta Kariet

18. Rosemark Akatsa39.    Onica Atieno

19. Berita Mwikali40.    Mutie Mutuku

20. Alphonse Muhanda41.    Rodah Mwangangi

21. John Kinuthia42.    Wilfred Omukura

22. Raphael Wambua43.    Lau Kingode

23. Maundu Kilundo44.    Wilson Mbinga

24. George Wambua45.    Leonard Pang-Pang

25. Kamau Gathua46.    Francis Muriithi

26. Serah Mutuku47.    Robinson Mwachand

27. Islidah Akinyi48.    Bernard Njoroge

28. Hosea Shikoli49.    Ngoka Ngumbao

29. Charles Wambua50.    Titus Ngutho

30. Christopher Njenga51.    Muingai Muchunu

31. Joseph Mutunga52.    William Saya

32. Justus Wafula53.    Enosh Adaga

33. Mutua Kitelo54.    Dedan Adika

55. Simon Kimotho76.    Simon Kioko

56. Benjamin Mulatya77.    James Musyoka Manyi

57. Benson Ndikolo78.    Cleophas Wabomba

58. Patrick Njoroge79.    Joseph Ngutho

59. Samuel Kalalya80.    Patric Nyamai

60. Joram Lisanza81.    Stephen Njenga

61. Anderson Mbithuka82.    Henry K. Muli

62. Joseph Mwashigadi83.    Peter Sila

63. Patrick Mutisya84.    Edward K. Kibiti

64. Jessee Njiraini85.    Joab Amanya

65. Charles K. Kabeni86.    Elija Njue

66. Joel Mwambacha87.    Joshua A. Lipesa

67. Annastasia Mueni88.    Richard Tito

68. Albert Alijanda89.    Dickson Kilonzo

69. Paul Mwololo90.    Sumulex Ole Nkijsho

70. Mukenga Kilundo91.    Ole Nkooya

71. Geoffrey Mwatha92.    Njuguna Mwangi

72. Ernest Mokavero93.    Onesmus Makewa

73. Muthani Kamuya94.    Joshua Muasya

74. Musa Obiero95.    Peter Mutua

75. Benedict Muindi96.    Benson Matheri

97. Mwonga Kinyanjui118. Geoffrey Munyao

98. Jackson Kilango119. Benedict Mutuku

99. David Muni Dishon120. George Njoroge

100. Doreen M. Kale121. Kioko Nyangi

101. Ngula Mutunga122. Harrison Fondo

102. Albanus Mwaura123. Elias Mruma

103. John Abdul Tambo124. Moses Olango

104. Mutula Munyalo125. Ishmael Chengo

105. Daniel Munyala126. Cornel Otieno

106. Rakoi Ole Papai127. Kalunda Muindi

107. Mwangangi Nguli128. Joseph Ndavi

108. Joyce Saroa John129. Paul Masavu

109. Samuel Opi130. Peter Nzelu

110. David Matata131. Philip Muindi

111. David Sapala132. Metui Ole Muiru

112. Jacob Kimaita133. Patrick Wambua

113. Paul Kitwanja134. Daniel Kinyanjui

114. Bernard Kamau135. Patrick Majoni

115. Georgina Muthoni136. James Kasivu

116. Patrick Mutisya137. Mositet Ole Sintila

117. Maurice Linzalia138. Henry Ogango

139. James Nzomo160. Paul Kyangute

140. Peter Mbuvi161. Nathan Akatsa

141. Joseph Katana162. Peter M. Mureithi

142. Ephantus Kamunyu163. Gabriel Wambua

143. Leonard Kitela164. Ethern Wasike

144. Wilfred Muiya165. Titus Kyalo

145. David Musila166. Metui Ole Suiyanka

146. Ngigi Ngungu167. Jane Odhiambo

147. John Njuguna168. Joyce Nyangasi

148. Elijah Njoroge169. Kennedy Omukuba

149. Sunte Mpaayo170. Charles Ole Tiptip

150. Stephen Muilu171. Esther Owuor

151. Jonathan Mwakoto172. Kahol Ole Siton

152. Mwangi Nyamanduru173. Saruni Ole Sharua

153. Stephen Mutinda174. Zacharia Mucheru

154. Musyoka Moki175. Stanley A. Lipesa

155. Javan Luvisi176. Sipannta Kurambe

156. Boniface Mutia177. Philip Murikut

157. Dominic Wambua178. Patrick Nyaneweso

158. Peter Munywoki179. Ngalania Ole Koijla

159. David Kiarie180. Anastasia Kalondo

181. Sabina Soila202. Annastasia Wambua

182. Margaret Nyokabi203. Jane Wambui

183. Peter Mwangi204. Sera Bakari

184. Peter Onyango205. Patrick Mwithya

185. Nkarat Ole Nkooya206. Philip M. Kinyumu

186. Oloitotton solonka207. Stephen Charo

187. George M. Musa208. Kimetu Kilelo

188. Peter K. Kibet209. Robert Mwani

189. Boniface Gacuhi210. Kamau Mwangi

190. Munkas Lenkutulk211. John L. Lumuli

191. Edith Amaingu212. Gabriel Wambua

192. Bernard Kiamba213. Ethern Wasike

193. James O. Mugele214. Titus Kyalo

194. Gideon Munyao215. Metui Ole Suiyanka

195. Daniel K. Kyengo216. Jane Odhiambo

196. Kabungo Kivulo217. Joyce Nyangasi

197. Susan Njeri218. Kennedy Omukuba

198. Martin Odhiambo

199. John Amwayi

200. Arexides bukhala

201. Stephen Ajega

Mwari S. Njiru for the Claimants (hereinafter called the Union).

No appearance for the Respondents (hereinafter called the Club).

A W A R D.

On 23rd May 2000, the Minister for Labour referred this dispute to the Court for adjudication and determination in exercise of the powers vested in him by Section 8 of the Trade Disputes Act, Cap.234, Laws of Kenya (which is hereinafter referred to as the Act). The reference, together with the statutory certificates from the Minister himself and the Labour Commissioner under Section 14, subsection (9)(e) and (f) of the Act, were received by the Court on 24th May 2000, and the dispute was listed for mention on 14th June 2000. On this occasion, Mr. Mwari appeared for the Union and Mr. R.M. Muthanga, Executive Officer, F.K.E., appeared for the Club. The Personnel Manager of the Club, Mr. Philip Koech, was also present or in attendance. The dispute was fixed for hearing on 7th September 2000, and meanwhile, the Union were directed to submit their memorandum on or before 14th July 2000, and the Club were ordered to file their reply statement on or before 31st August 2000. The Union submitted their memorandum on 18th July, 2000, but the Club did not file any reply statement thereto as ordered hereinabove. On 1st September 2000, Mrs. M. Onyango, Executive Officer, F.K.E., for the Club requested for a another mention on 7th September 2000, instead of a hearing, on the ground that she had not received a copy of the memorandum submitted by the Union. The dispute was, however, listed for a further mention on 11th October 2000, when Messrs. Mwari and Muthanga appeared for the parties respectively. On this date, the case was rescheduled by mutual agreement for hearing on 30th January 2001, and meanwhile the Club were allowed to file their reply statement on or before 10th November 2000. They did not submit the same and no reasons were given for their default. On 30th January, 2001, Mrs. Onyango for the Club applied to withdraw from the case for lack of instructions. The application was granted, and the matter was heard ex-parte.

The parties have a recognition agreement and have also entered into several collective agreements which regulate the terms and conditions of service of the unionisable employees. On careful perusal of the submission by the Union, I note that this dispute was processed through all the normal stages of the pre-Industrial Court machinery; and it was mutually agreed by the parties that the employees’ terminal benefits stood at Kshs.11,242,524/=. Consequently, it was conceded by Mr. Mwari for the Union, the Club made part payment thereof, amounting to Kshs. 6,000,000/=, leaving a balance of Kshs.5,242,524/=. He, therefore, prayed that the grievants be paid the aforementioned outstanding balance of Kshs.5,242,524/= forthwith.

As the Club neglected and/or refused to file their reply statement to the memorandum of the Union and were also absent during the hearing, despite having been notified to attend and file the same, I have, therefore, no reason to disbelieve the case of the Union. In the circumstances, I allow the demand as prayed for hereinabove by the Union and order the Club to pay the said outstanding balance of Kshs.5,242,524/= within thirty(30) days from the date of this award.

The members did not offer their opinion or advice on this matter.

DATED and delivered at Nairobi this 9th day of March, 2001.

Charles P. Chemmuttut,

JUDGE.