The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu has ordered Kisii County Government to pay Sh5.2 million to two former Chief Officers, after ruling that they were unfairly dismissed in 2024.
The former Public Participation Chief Officer, Casper Ondoro, and his counterpart from the Youth and Sports Department, Helina Moranga, were interdicted last year over alleged misconduct.
In a judgment delivered on December 11, 2025, Justice Nzioki wa Makau, found that Ondoro’s dismissal was unfair, noting that the short Show-Cause period denied him sufficient time to mount a proper defense.
“It defeats the entire logic of the process to subject an employee to a shortened period to respond to a Show-Cause notice and then dismiss them for failing to exonerate themselves,” noted Judge Makau.
Ondoro received a show-cause letter on August 21, 2023, after allegedly authorizing a payment of Sh2.9 million to a contractor for drainage works in Bombaba Ward, without a completion certificate.
Despite responding on August 24, 2023, he was suspended on September 25, 2023, attended a disciplinary hearing on April 3, 2024, and was dismissed on April 9, 2024.
The Court ruled that the partial completion certificate issued was not a valid basis for payment, as instructions to pay were given after Ondoro had been suspended.
Kisii County was ordered to pay Ondoro one month’s salary of Sh219,640 in lieu of notice, and an additional 12 months’ salary totalling Sh2,635,680 as compensation for unlawful dismissal. He is also to be issued a Certificate of Service.
A separate judgment, delivered on December 9, 2025, ordered the County to pay Sh 2,416,040 to former Youth and Sports Chief Officer, Helina Moranga, following her unfair dismissal.
Ms. Moranga had been accused of processing an imprest of Sh7,372,300 that allegedly unjustly enriched herself and other officials for KICOSCA games per diems. She was also alleged to have certified Sh358,000 for a defective laptop and smartphone.
In his 19-page ruling, Judge Makau noted that the imprest processed was not the one prepared by Ms. Moranga, but another sum of Sh8,367,600, approved without her involvement or consent.
Regarding the procured goods, the Court found that the items were returned with no loss to the County and no evidence of payment, limiting her liability.
The Judge acknowledged her role as Accounting Officer but restricted compensation to reflect the unfair dismissal rather than contract losses.
The Court declined to award her any other exemplary damages or payments for the balance of her contract. Ms. Moranga is to receive one month’s salary of Sh219,640 in lieu of notice and an additional 10 months’ salary of Sh2,196,400 as compensation, along with a certificate of service.
These rulings highlight the importance of due process in employment and reinforce accountability within county administrations, particularly in handling disciplinary procedures and dismissals.
By Mercy Osongo
