A Mombasa Law Court has awarded a marine scientist more than Sh50 million in damages and salary arrears for being wrongfully dismissed from work.
Dr Ezekiel Okwema, who was a director at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, spent 13 years without a job after being wrongfully dismissed.
Dr Okwema had filed the case against the institute, seeking to be reinstated arguing that his termination was illegal.
Justice James Rika however, dismissed the application to have him reinstated to the institute in a lower position of chief research officer.
“It would not be reasonable to have him return to the institute and probably take the place of a younger Kenyan,” said Justice Rika.
The court heard that Mr Okwema lost his job after an anonymous individual claimed that he had engaged in corruption in the year 2000.
Dr Okwema was arrested and charged before a Mombasa court, but was cleared of the corruption charges on August 21, 2012.
Justice Rika in his ruling said Dr Okwema’s rights were violated when he was sent home adding that the dismissal was unfair and unlawful.
The scientist was also seeking 12 months’ salary at Sh5,760,000 and to be awarded Sh10 million in accrued pension up to the retirement age of 68, which the judge declined.
The judge in his ruling said the salary arrears should be calculated from December 1, 1999 when the claimant’s salary was stopped up to September 2012 when he learnt of his suspension from work.
“The respondent shall pay the claimant Sh33,455,592 in salary arrears and Sh20 million in damages for unfair and unlawful termination of employment,” said Justice Rika.