Garissa hospital boss in court over Ksh.2M salary arrears

Three officials from Garissa County have been summoned over allegedly refusing to pay a former CEO at the referral hospital over Ksh.2 million in salary arrears.

The Employment and Labour Relations Court has summoned Abdi Ali (County Secretary), Mohamed Sheikh (Executive Officer/Secretary to the County Service Board) and Ibrahim Malow (County Chief Officer-Finance).

The Judge directed that Ahmed Mohammed Dagane through his advocate Daniel Rokoro, serve the respondents and also appear for the hearing on May 2.

“I have given orders to summon officers of Garissa County responsible for paying Dagane his salary and appear on the hearing date to explain why they did not execute the orders given on March 21,” Justice Steven Radido ruled.

Mr. Dagane indicates that he was employed on March 5, 2013 as a Chief Executive Officer at the Garissa County Referral Hospital for a contract of six years with a gross pay of Ksh.459,089 per month.

“Between March 2016 and October 2017, part of his salary and benefits were withheld without any consultation,” the court documents read.

Mr. Dagane claims his salary was stopped indefinitely without consultation on November 1, 2017 and as at March 2018, accrued salary was Ksh.2,728,063.

He further alleges that after the August 2017 General Election, it was even more difficult to work  without pay.

He adds that after the December holidays, he was asked to stay home until a decision on his contract issue was reached by the new Governor Ali Korane.

Mr. Dagane further alleges that he met the governor twice but the issue was never resolved.

He moved to court in March this year and filed a claim but the respondents did not attend court despite summons to appear.

The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi first issued orders on March 21, 2018 to the effect that Mr. Dagane be paid his outstanding salaries.

The matter will be heard on May 2, 2018 before Justice Hellen Wasilwa.