Embu Governor Martin Wambora has been ordered to pay Sh1.9 Million to his former political advisor.
Joshua Mugo Kanake sued Governor Wambora, the County Government and the county public service board demanding payment of the accrued salaries, gratuity, unpaid leave days and certificate of service.
Kanake, who was earning Sh160,270 per month, told Justice Byram Ongaya that he had not been paid from November 2016 to February 2017.
The court awarded him Sh520,878 being the withheld and unpaid salary for the period, Sh30,000 for unpaid leave days and Sh1,379,497 for gratuity.
Justice Ongaya directed the respondents to make the payments by September 1.
The court further directed the respondents to issue Mugo with a certificate of service as per Section 51 of the Employment Act 2007.
Mr Mugo resigned from his post in February 2017 to contest for Embu’s Senatorial seat on a Maendeleo Chap Chap Party. He followed the Elections Act, 2012 that requires public officers wishing to compete for elective posts to resign from the public office.
“The evidence was that the claimant’s work was a personal service to the governor and he was never dismissed at all material times. The court finds that the claimant remained at work until he resigned from the employment,” Justice Ongaya stated.
Wambora is looking to defend his seat on a Jubilee Party ticket.
