Blow to LSK boss Nelson Havi after court suspends replacement of Deputy Secretary
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has suffered a setback after the Employment and Labour Relations court halted the recruitment of Deputy Secretary of LSK in charge of Compliance and Ethics Directorate.
Justice Maureen Onyango issued the temporary orders pending the hearing of a petition filed by Florence Wairimu Muturi who currently holds the said position.
“The application is certified as urgent and fixed for inter partes hearing on Tuesday 27th July 2021. In the meantime, there shall be a stay of the decision inviting applications for the position of Director of Compliance pending inters partes hearing of the application,” ruled the Judge.
Muturi sued Havi, his Deputy Caroline Kamende Daudi and nine other persons acting as caretakers of the council after she was summarily dismissed for alleged gross misconduct.
She was dismissed on grounds that she failed to abide with oral and email instructions given by Havi and other members of LSK who are ostensible sitting as a caretaker council of LSK.
She claims that on July 12, Havi illegally and summarily dismissed her from her position without any notice for her to show cause why disciplinary action should not have been taken against her.
Muturi further said that Havi did not make any reference to LSK CEO Mercy Wambua who is her immediate supervisor and that he did not seek concurrence from the Council of LSK before dismissing her.
“The First respondent (Havi) then proceeded to advertise my position the following day at a local newspaper in complete disregard of the fact that I am employed by the Council of LSK and there was no resolution of the council to terminate my services and advertise the same,” she said.
Muturi claims that Havi has in the past exhibited unbridled ability to force his way with his solo decision and notwithstanding that her immediate supervisor LSK CEO Mercy Wambua and the other council members have directed her to remain in office and continue discharging her duties, she is apprehensive that Havi and her allies may continue to interfere with her role. The case will be heard on July 27.
