By Elizabeth Mwibanda, Bungoma
Bungoma County government has been ordered to pay Sh4 million to a former Public Administration Chief Officer for wrongful dismissal from work.
The Public Service Commission has upheld its earlier decision against the County Government of Bungoma, in a twelve page ruling delivered on 25th November 2024 ,they said the County Government has been ordered to pay approximately Sh4 million to a former Senior County employee for wrongful dismissal.
The former chief officer was interdicted together with other officers for alleged gross misconduct, abuse of office and corruption allegations.
Abidan Kapchanga, who served as the Chief Officer County Public Administration was wrongly dismissed from employment two years ago, immediately the current Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, assumed office.
Kapchanga and five other senior Bungoma County Officers appealed the decision of their employer to the Public Service Commission the decision is in accordance with public service commission Act 86 section 4.
The commission notice stated that;” this is to notify you that vide decision delivered on 20th November 2024, the commission considered and allowed the above appeal pursuant to section 86 (4) of the public service commission Act as read together with Regulation 21 of Public service commission (County Appeals Procedures) Regulation 2022, the commission directed the Appellant’s dismissal from employment be submitted with termination of contract as envisaged under section 35 of the Employment Act with effect from the date of this decision.”
The Public service Commission further told the respondents to pay the Appellant one month salary and benefits in lieu of notice.
In addition, the respondents were ordered to pay the appellant the withheld salaries and benefits from 16th August, 2023 to the date of this decision.
“The Appellant to be paid six (6) months’ salary as compensation for unlawful dismissal,” the notice stated, it added that the respondent should also issue the Appellant with a certificate of service