Former PS Lillian Omollo Awarded One Shilling for Unfair Dismissal

The employment and labor court has ordered the government to pay former Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Lillian Omollo Sh1 for unfair dismissal.

Justice Stephen Radido ruled that the removal of Ms. Omollo from the government’s payroll was unconstitutional as she was not subjected to due process as provided under Article 236 of the Constitution.

The judge added that the applicant was not given reasons for her removal from office under the hand of the President.

“She was ingeniously notified that her tenure had ended because a replacement had been appointed,” Justice Radido said.

The judge awarded her Sh1 compensation for the violation of her rights, saying the amount was adequate as Ms. Omollo, who is fighting corruption charges in relation to the NYS scandal, was found to have unexplained wealth.

“The petitioner is awarded a nominal one shilling for the violation of her right to due process,” he ruled, adding that each party will bear its own costs.

In her petition, Ms. Omollo argued that she was still presumed innocent and was entitled to half-pay pending the hearing and determination of her corruption case.

She was appointed PS in December 2015 and three years later she was charged with corruption among other offenses.

Ms. Omollo also sought general damages for the breach of her constitutional rights and the right to legitimate expectation.

The High Court early this year found that the over Sh33 million Ms. Omollo held in various bank accounts were proceeds of crime but she has appealed against the ruling by Justice Mumbi Ngugi.