Economy

Court awards former Gender Commission CEO Sh11 million

rose

Former National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) CEO Rose Odhiambo has been awarded Sh11 million by the labour court for unlawful termination. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Former National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) CEO Rose Odhiambo has been awarded Sh11 million by the labour court for unlawful termination.

Employment and Labour Relations Court judge Mathews Nduma ruled that Prof Odhiambo’s sacking by the commission’s board in October 2014, three years to the end of her term was unlawful.

The board sacked Prof Odhiambo alleging that she interfered with the tendering process of the staff medical cover, which she denied’

The judge ruled that no evidence of malpractice was produced. “The claimant, a high- ranking professor and a former director of the Institute of Equality and Gender Studies at Egerton University suffered immense indignity at the hands of her new employer, the respondent, a commission meant to protect the rights of women,” observed Justice Nduma.

The board while sacking her said she allowed alteration of tender documents to show that Resolution Health was the successful bidder when well aware that Britam was the successful bidder awarded by the tender committee. Prof Odhiambo was appointed on October 1, 2012 as CEO of NGEC for a five-year term but she was fired with three years remaining on her contract.