A teacher in Kisii County who was fired over alleged neglect of duty has been reinstated after the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), popularly known as the Government Ombudsman, intervened.
Sager Fred Ondieki who was teaching at Itierio Boys Secondary School was fired by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) without any explanation on October 1, 2018.
Ondieki claimed that he was not presented with a show cause or dismissal letter and accused TSC of abusing the office.
He wrote to the Ombudsman seeking intervention after multiple failed attempts to get the commission to address his grievances.
“It is now 11 months since my salary was stopped, and during that time I have suffered psychological problems of being indebted. I am under pressure with fears on my privacy and security…..My family has suffered immensely since then for I can’t provide the necessary basic needs and wants.”
“I am kindly requesting that the commission on administrative justice ‘Office of the Ombudsman’ arbitrate amicably on this dispute," he pleaded in a complaint letter.
CAJ followed up on the matter with TSC and addressed a letter to them notifying them of the complaint.
“By means of this letter you are requested to respond to the issue raised and revert to us within 14 days thereof, clearly indicating your position on the same, steps taken if any or intended actions and timeframes in the event,” the Ombudsman wrote.
The TSC deputy disciplinary head wrote to Ondieki following the intervention and served him with a notice to show cause letter. They later handed Ondieki his job back and channeled the salary arrears to him.
“Upon inquiries by the Commission on Administration of Justice, TSC served the complainant with a “notice to show cause” letter and a disciplinary case ensued which was concluded and the complainant reinstated.”
“The complainant, through an email dated March 1, 2021, also confirmed that the matter was resolved and gave his thanks for our intervention," confirmed Florence Kajuju, the CAJ Chairperson.
