Labour CS cited for contempt in nurses’ union deductions case

Labour Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui has been cited in contempt of court for disobeying an order to authourise two hospitals to deduct union dues from members of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (Knun) leading to a loss of Sh6 million.

Justice Onesmus Makau found Mr Chelugui had disobeyed an order dated November 12, 2019, by failing to sign Gazette notices directing the AIC Kijabe Mission Hospital and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital to deduct fees in favour of the union.

The judge said the CS did not have any justifiable reason.

He made the finding while ruling on an application filed by the union, which said as a result of the default to gazette the legal notice, the union had lost Sh2.1 million from 80 nurses of AIC Kijabe Mission Hospital.

It had also lost Sh4.2 million from the nurses in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Through its Industrial Relations Officer Eudius Nyambura, the union urged court to punish the CS to uphold the dignity and authority of the court.

But Mr Cheluguiopposed the request, saying he explained that he did not have personal knowledge of the order.

He said the issue of gazetting the legal notices has had challenges and had been pending for some time.

Justice Makau directed that the case be mentioned on November 11 for mitigation and sentencing of the CS.