Kisumu: The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Kisumu has ordered the Kisii County Government to pay Sh5.2 million to two former Chief Officers, following a ruling that declared their dismissals in 2024 as unfair.
According to Kenya News Agency, the former Public Participation Chief Officer, Casper Ondoro, and the former Youth and Sports Department Chief Officer, Helina Moranga, faced interdiction last year due to alleged misconduct. In a judgment delivered on December 11, 2025, Justice Nzioki wa Makau ruled that Ondoro’s dismissal was unfair, highlighting that the short Show-Cause period provided to him was insufficient for mounting a proper defense.
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 found that the partial completion certificate issued was not a valid basis for payment since instructions to pay were given after Ondoro had been suspended.
Kisii County was ordered to compensate Ondoro with one month’s salary of Sh219,640 in lieu of notice, along with an additional 12 months’ salary totaling Sh2,635,680 for unlawful dismissal. He is also to be issued a Certificate of Service.
In a separate judgment delivered on December 9, 2025, the County was ordered to pay Sh2,416,040 to former Youth and Sports Chief Officer, Helina Moranga, following her unfair dismissal. Ms. Moranga was accused of processing an imprest of Sh7,372,300 that allegedly unjustly enriched herself and other officials for KICOSCA games per diems and certifying Sh358,000 for a defective laptop and smartphone.
Judge Makau noted that the imprest processed was not prepared by Ms. Moranga but was 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, thereby 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 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 underscore the importance of due process in employment and reinforce accountability within county administrations, particularly in handling disciplinary procedures and dismissals.
