MUHORONI PUNISHED: IDCC fines team over wrongful dismissal of two players

Ulinzi FC;s Ezekiel Otuoma, left, tussle for ball control with Paul Okore of Muhoroni Youth during KPL Top 8 semi finals at Nyayo National Stadium on sunday, June 19, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Muhoroni Youth are once again in trouble with the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) disciplinary committee.

The club has been ordered to pay two players a total of Sh349,000 for wrongful dismissals in a move that once again puts them in the eye of the storm.

The Independent Disciplinary Complaints Committee (IDCC) termed the sacking of Paul Okatwa and John Mark Ongwae as “unprocedural and against the established rules and regulations.”

The committee subsequently ordered Muhoroni to pay Ongwae Sh189,000 and Okwata Sh160,000 as salary arrears and compensation within one month.

Muhoroni fired the players in March alongside Bob Mugalia. Ongwae and Okwata then opted to report the matter to the Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA), who forwarded the case to IDCC.

In defence, Muhoroni Youth, through its Chief Executive Officer James Orundu, said the players led an erratic lifestyle that affected their performance.

“That is why Ongwae did not feature in all our assignments, while Okatwa, being a striker, did not score or even assist in the 10 matches he featured,” read part of the ruling by IDCC.

But the disciplinary body disagreed with Muhoroni Youth, insisting the notice of termination given to the players was in violation of the one-month notice required.

The players’ welfare demanded that Muhoroni Youth be compelled to compensate Ongwae for the outstanding 21 months in his two-year contract.

“In regard of the issues at hand, the IDCC found it fit to award Ongwae an equivalent of his monthly salary, the same amount in lieu of termination of contract and an equivalent of five months’ salary as compensation for wrongful termination, all totaling Sh189,000,” read part of the ruling.

Okatwa’s compensation was reduced since he was left with only two months in his contract with Muhoroni Youth. He immediately joined Sofapaka after he was fired by the club.

KEFWA chairman Innocent Mutiso said the award is a big boost for the players and he has promised to work harder next season to protect players’ interests.

“I want to warn clubs to follow the law when terminating contracts of players because we will always be there to defend them, when their rights are violated,” he said.

Mutiso said such cases have reduced drastically since last year and hopes they will eradicate all of them in coming seasons.