A former driver at World Vision Kenya has won a major legal victory after a court ruled that his dismissal over a workplace romance was unlawful and unfair.
Mr Dominic Mutuku Mulavu, who had served the aid agency for twelve years, lost his job in MARCH 2026 after he was accused of breaching the company code of conduct.
The case arose after he was allegedly found in a romantic situation with a secretary while using a company vehicle.
The employer moved to dismiss him on the grounds of misconduct.
However, the Employment and Labour Relations Court found that the process followed by the employer did not meet the required legal standards.
In its ruling, the court ordered the organisation to compensate the driver with KSh 790,398 for unfair termination.
The judgement stated that the claimant was entitled to compensation after the employer failed to follow due procedure before dismissal.
During the hearing, the court heard that Mr Mulavu had a clean work record and had served diligently for more than a decade.
It also emerged that while workplace relationships may be discouraged, they are not criminal offences and must be handled through clear and fair internal processes.
The court further noted that dismissal should be a last resort and employees must be given a proper chance to respond to allegations.
In this case, the judge ruled that the punishment was excessive and not supported by proper disciplinary steps.
The ruling sends a strong message to employers on the need to respect labour laws and employee rights, even when personal conduct at work raises concerns.
It also highlights the growing attention Kenyan courts are giving to fairness and due process in employment disputes.
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