Sacked Meru police officer awarded Sh1m after decade-long court battle

High Court in Meru awarded constable Mwenda Mbuko Sh1 million as compensation after he was sacked unfairly.

Judge James Makau in 2013 ordered that the former constable be paid as he was dismissed without him being heard, or his accusers being summoned to say what he had actually done. Mwenda's dismissal stemmed from an alleged indiscipline case, but the court found there was no foundation to that claim.

He was sacked in 2003 and had been seeking audience with his bosses about the appeal he lodged the same year in vain. He wanted the court to force the then police commissioner to reinstate him, but the judge found that it would not be the best option since he had been away for a long time.

According to the petitioner's assertions, which remain unchallenged, the respondents did not call witnesses and the recommendation for disciplinary action was taken without any supporting evidence. He further claimed the decision had been pre-determined and not based on evidence. "It is not in dispute that the petitioner has over the years made frantic efforts to establish whether the appeal was considered or not as per several annextures to the petition. The respondents once again did not bother to furnish the petitioner with any response," the judge ruled.