Why Equity Bank Was Ordered To Pay Fired Employee K’sh 18 Million

By Jane Okoth,

Cases of employers dismissing their employees have been on the rise as workers claim that their bosses did not follow due process.

Just how do you determine that you’re firing was illegal and what are the best options to seek justice?

The Business Daily reports that “Equity bank has been ordered to pay a former expatriate executive close to Sh20 million in termination dues and pension after the Industrial Court found that the bank had dismissed him unfairly.

Maurice Ewing, a US citizen who was sacked from the position of chief risk officer in 2012 will be compensated a total of $201,800 (Sh18 million) in compensation for his termination, pension, relocation and leave dues.

Mr Ewing was earning $35,000 (Sh3.15 million) monthly from the bank at the time of his dismissal.

What are Kenyans’ thoughts on the decision of the court?

“This is a wake-up call to employers who do not like following the due process when firing their staff,” says Edward Maina who is an Accountant at a construction company based in Nairobi.

“Employees need to be fully aware of their rights that they cannot just be dismissed without a fair hearing,” he opines.

Salim Bakari a Sales Executive at a marketing agency is of a different opinion that the court’s decision was not just.

‘I tend to think that the complainant was awarded his benefits just because he is an American citizen,” he says.

“I bet that a Kenyan national would not stand a chance of winning the case,” he concludes.

“Just look at his monthly pay which is more that a CEO in some Kenyan company,” he adds.

Triza Opiyo, a Social Worker at a humanitarian organization also agrees that the court should have considered the bank’s argument.

“How is it possible to be awarded with benefits yet you have worked in a company for less than a year?” she asks.

“I was fired from my last job without any explanation whatsoever yet my work performance has been the best,” laments Naomi Mokua, a Public Relations Officer at a corporate firm.

“However my issue is do these industrial courts serve all wananchi equally?” she asks.

“Poor people should also be given a chance for a fair hearing because they are the most exploited in the corporate world,” she adds.

“Termination of one’s services must be done in a professional and humane way,” adds Edward.

“It is unfortunate that most of our Kenyan employers tend to ignore the due process and procedures,” he concludes.

What is your take on this?

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