The Employment and Labour Relations Court has ordered a church to pay its former employee over Sh800,000 after finding that she was unfairly dismissed due to an alleged relationship with a colleague. Justice Ann Mwaure in her judgment said that the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA), Central Rift Valley Conference's reason for terminating Jescah Gesare's employment was invalid and unprocedural.
She observed that the church called her to attend a commission for questioning before she was forced to resign, and when she refused, it fired her.
Even after being sued, the church never responded. "The respondent having not filed a response or tendered evidence in court did not contravene the claimant's claim.
They failed, therefore, in twin tests of providing substantive justification in giving a valid reason for termination and procedural fairness," said Justice Mwaure.
