Kenyan Bank Ordered to Pay Former Employee Sh17 Million for Wrongful Dismissal

The National Bank of Kenya has been ordered to pay its former employee Sh17 million for wrongful dismissal. 

John Wanjohi sued his former employer after he was summarily dismissed on accusations of causing the lender a loss of Sh140 million between 2007 and 2009.

The banker was accused of deliberately making false and misleading returns and records of transactions involving the bank and third parties

Wanjohi told the court that he was a victim of a witch-hunt, saying the bank management wanted to get rid of old members of staff.

“I was dismissed without notice in an exercise that was malicious and purely meant to save the defendant financial expenses,” Wanjohi testified.

Labor Court Judge Nduma Nderi on Friday ruled that the plaintiff was not given an opportunity to defend himself, adding that the bank should have asked him to retire and pay him his pension.

The judge noted that the bank made false allegations against Wanjohi, stating that it an embarrassment for a senior employee to be unceremoniously fired after diligently serving the bank for 29 years.

Justice Nderi added that the applicant suffered financial loss after the sacking developed diabetes due to stress, and suffered loss and damage associated with the sudden loss of income and non-payment of pension dues accrued over 29 years.

Wanjohi joined the bank as a clerk and rose through the ranks to a branch manager.