By Salim Mutuma
The Labour and Relations Court has ordered Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki to compensate an advocate he reportedly dismissed unlawfully from his law firm on account of her pregnancy.
Yasmin Jesephine Mokaya, a young advocate, who had worked at Prof Kindiki’s firm since June 2015 had been on a contract until January 2018 when she informed her boss that she was pregnant and intended to go on leave from March the same year.
The legislator who is the founder of the firm approved the request but revoked the payment entitled to her during the leave.
The court established that Prof Kindiki dismissed the advocate after she refused to take unpaid three-month maternity leave, insisting that she was entitled to all payments and benefits during the leave.
Justice Mathews Nduma ruled that the Senator’s decision violated Ms Mokaya’s constitutional rights and ordered she be compensated Sh2.2 million inclusive of her one month salary in lieu of notice, six months compensation for unlawful termination of employment and compensation for unspent leave days.
