Finally! Telkom Kenya 997 Retrenched Employees Get Sh1.2 Billion

By Jane Okoth
It is the expectation of every employee that you are entitled to retrenchment benefits after reaching  an advanced age.

However, it has become a disturbing trend in the country that your retirement benefits will be available to you after a big fight with the courts involved.

This is in relation to former employees of Telkom Kenya have been awarded Sh1.2 billion retirement payoff from the former State corporation, after an eight-year court battle between the two parties.

According to the article posted by the business daily, the former 997 employees were retrenched in 2006 but Telkom was found to have acted discriminatorily by the Court of Appeal last year.

The paper also reports that “The former Telkom workers signed a deed of settlement with their former employer, securing the sum after a battle which saw them go to the Industrial Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.”

Does it have to be a court battle to demand for your rights?

“Unfortunately this is the only way that you will be paid,” notes Edwin Kinoti, an operations manager at an N.G.O in the country.

“Some employers are using their influence and money to intimidate their employees thinking they can get away with it but am glad they got paid at last,” he says.

“I applaud the court for its wise ruling. It is unfortunate that the court has to intervene so that you get paid,” says Jack Irungu, a reporter at a local TV station.

“Why can’t they pay up one’s dues in peace?,” he asks.

“I do not even want to imagine that I will be in a tug of war with my employer in paying my benefits, says Kennedy a social worker at a local community organization.

“I hope when that time comes my retirement benefits will be ready for me,” he says.

Jeff Ochieng a job seeker says that “It is probably one of the reasons why some employees are even stealing from companies.”

“If I was in the shoes of those employees I would do exactly the same. Take them to court if they remain adamant,” he concludes.

“Nowadays not only are civil servants wrongfully terminated and their pay refused but also private firms have adopted the same strategy” says Lydia Minayo, a tutor in a private learning institution.

She also adds that “It is also very unfair because it costs a lot of money to hire a lawyer to represent you in the industrial court, the high court and the court of appeal.”

“This means that people who cannot afford a lawyer end up losing the battle,” she concludes.

What is your take on the issue?

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