Mischeck Kirimi Mwithimbu,Kithinji Mberia,Justus Gikunda,Silas Kinoti,Geoffrey Kirimi,Lawrence Magaju,Judith Rima & Zacharia Kiruki v Liquidator Nkuene Farmers Co-Operative Society,Commissioner for Co-Operative Development,Kieru Farmers Co-Operative Society,Kaubau Farmers Co-Operative Society,Kaguru Farmers Co-Operative Society,Taau Farmers Co-Operative Society,Mutego Farmers Co-Operative Society,Muguru Farmers Co-Operative Society,Munani Farmers Co-Operative Society,Nkumari Farmers Co-Operative Society,Ntemwene Farmers Co-Operative Society,Kangurwe Farmers Co-Operative Society,Gitune Farmers Co-Operative Society,Nugu Farmers Co-Operative Society,Nkungugu Farmers Co-Operative Society,Kandigi Farmers Co-Operative Society & Rugetu Farmers Co-Operative Society [2014] KEELRC 1294 (KLR)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE INDUSTRIAL COURT OF KENYA AT NYERI

CAUSE NO.49 OF 2013

(Meru High Court Civil Case No.34 of 2005)

MISCHECK KIRIMI MWITHIMBU............................................1ST CLAIMANT

KITHINJI MBERIA.................................................................2ND CLAIMANT

JUSTUS GIKUNDA...............................................................3RD CLAIMANT

SILAS KINOTI.......................................................................4TH CLAIMANT

GEOFFREY KIRIMI...............................................................5TH CLAIMANT

LAWRENCE MAGAJU...........................................................6TH CLAIMANT

JUDITH RIMA........................................................................7TH CLAIMANT

ZACHARIA KIRUKI................................................................8TH CLAIMANT

VERSUS

THE LIQUIDATOR NKUENE FARMERS

CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY...............................................1ST RESPONDENT

COMMISSIONER FOR CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT..2ND RESPONDENT

KIERU FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY...................3RD RESPONDENT

KAUBAU FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY................4TH RESPONDENT

KAGURU FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY................5TH RESPONDENT

TAAU FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.....................6TH RESPONDENT

MUTEGO FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY...............7TH RESPONDENT

MUGURU FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY...............8TH RESPONDENT

MUNANI FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.................9TH RESPONDENT

NKUMARI FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.............10TH RESPONDENT

NTEMWENE FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.........11TH RESPONDENT

KANGURWE FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.........12TH RESPONDENT

GITUNE FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY................13TH RESPONDENT

NUGU FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY...................14TH RESPONDENT

NKUNGUGU FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY..........15TH RESPONDENT

KANDIGI FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY................16TH RESPONDENT

RUGETU FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY...............17TH RESPONDENT

JUDGMENT

The plaintiffs in this suit were former employees of the 1st defendant which was placed in liquidation in 1999.

The plaintiffs aver that upon the placement of the plaintiff into liquidation, their services were terminated. Their letters of termination informed them that they would be paid one month's salary in lieu of notice and terminal benefits in accordance with the applicable CBA.

According to the plaintiffs, their dues were computed and agreed upon yet the 1st defendant failed to pay the plaintiffs their dues prompting the present action.

Concerning the 3rd to the 17th defendants, the plaintiffs have averred that they were created upon the placement of the 1st defendant in liquidation and further that they inherited the assets and liabilities of the 1st defendant.

The plaintiffs therefore seek from this court a declaration that they are entitled to be paid all their terminal benefits arising out of their employment with the 1st defendant and that all the defendants are liable to pay all such terminal benefits as shall be ordered by the court.

All the defendants except the 7th neither entered appearance nor filed defence to the suit.The 7th defendant on its part did not attend court at the hearing despite filing a defence and being served with a hearing notice.

At the hearing, the plaintiffs called as witness Mr. Mischeck Mwithimbu who stated he was one of the ex-employees of the defendant as a supervisor and a shop steward for the purposes of the union.

It was his evidence that upon placement of the defendant in liquidation a meeting was held with the management committee and it was agreed that all the employees be given termination letters and that they be paid their terminal benefits as per the then CBA.  He further testified that they received 1 ½ month's salary and part- payment of their terminal dues.  The balance was never paid despite filing a complaint with the Commissioner of Co-operatives and filing the present suit.

There seem to be no dispute that the plaintiffs were to be paid their terminal benefits by th defendant.  Further these benefits had been computed and partly paid. The only issue and one which prompted the plaintiffs to bring the present suit is that the 1st respondent has failed and or ignored to pay the plaintiffs the balance of their terminal benefits as had been agreed. The court would not want to speculate but perhaps the placement of the 1st defendant in liquidation and the attendant processes could have had a role in the delay in paying the claimants.However, their claim had been acknowledged by the liquidator and partially settled.

As desired by the plaintiffs therefore, the court hereby declares that the plaintiffs be paid their terminal dues as computed and agreed by the management committee, the liquidator and the plaintiffs.

The court further directs that this order be served on 1st and 2nd respondents and that the second respondent do inquire into the circumstances that may have led to the delay or non-payment of the plaintiffs terminal benefits and a report thereon be filed in this court within 60 days from the date hereof for the recording of final orders.The matter is therefore set for mention on 1st December, 2014 for that purpose.

It is so ordered.

Dated at Nyeri this 30th day of  September, 2014.

ABUODHA J. N

JUDGE

Delivered in open Court in the presence of Mr. Wanga h/b for Kariuki Advocate for the Claimant and in absence of Ndorongo Advocate for the 7th Respondent.

ABUODHA J. N

JUDGE