Despite temporary suspension of judicial proceedings due to Covid-19 Pandemic, Employment and Labour Relations Court Justice Byram Ongaya today Thursday 9th April, 2020 delivered a total of 17 judgments and rulings in about two hours at the Milimani Law Courts.
In one of the judgments delivered, the judge reinstated Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Nurse Stephen Kaburia Rutere who had been wrongfully interdicted six years ago.
In his judgement, Justice Ongaya said Rutere who was a Nursing Officer at KNH was wrongfully interdicted by Human Resources Manager Justus Kimaathi Bui for allegedly inciting his other workers to join strike.
He said the decision was unlawful as the Hospital Board of Management was not involved in the action. The Judge said that Mr. Bui (HRM) had no mandate to take such action against nurse Rutere since it was only the hospital board which had the mandate to interdict him.
Nurse Rutere thanked the Union for walking with him through out the court process until his victory. The General Secretary while receiving the news commended nurse Rutere for his patience and urged the Kirinyaga Nurses who are facing similar predicament to hold on to their faith and fight as justice will soon prevail.
A win for a nurse is a win for the Union.