Six former employees sue Homa Bay over wrongful dismissal

Six former workers have sued the Homa Bay county government over allegations of wrongful dismissal.

Ms Lilian Purity, the director for Roads and Transport, Revenue director Janet Oluoch and Bob Ochieng for Strategy and Planning are also accusing the government of denying them salaries for three months.

Others are Caroline Adhiambo, the Director for Public Relations and Communication, Roselida Onywera (Assistant Engineer) and Wycliffe Odero (Budget and Economic Planning).

They filed their case before Justice Nduma Nderi, of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu, through Cleveland Ayayo and Company Advocates.

Justice Nderi certified their application as urgent and fixed May 13 as the day the case will be heard.

The six had been hired by the County Public Service Board.

County Secretary Isaiah Ogwe wrote to the county's Chief of Staff Eliud Otieno on January 9 asking him to terminate the services of the newly employed directors.

"My attention has been drawn to reports the Public Service Board has appointed the under listed. You are hereby informed that a decision has been made to nullify the appointments and the board informed accordingly. You are therefore instructed not to accept or deploy the appointees," he said.

Representatives of the law firm confirmed yesterday that the office of the governor has been served. They said they had also served the County Public Service Board and the County Attorney.

Mr Ayayo, in his submissions, argued the County Secretary has no legal authority to hire and fire county workers.

He claims Ogwe, while ordering dismissal of the workers, failed to uphold the rule of law.

Applicants are demanding payment of their salary arrears and an explanation why they were sacked.