Ex-postmaster goes to court for cash

Former Post-Master General Fred Odhiambo. He has moved to court seeking redress for unfair dismissal. PHOTO/ FILE

As the controversy over the appointment of former police commissioner Hussein Ali as the postmaster-general rages, his predecessor Fred Odhiambo is headed to the courts to demand compensation for wrongful dismissal.

Mr Odhiambo will be seeking an equivalent of five months’ salary amounting to Sh3.7 million and another Sh1.4 million agreed remuneration pending.

He will also be seeking a year’s salary on account of loss of legitimate expectation of renewal of contract amounting to Sh8.8 million, plus interest and the cost of the suit.

In a letter seen by the Nation, Mr Odhiambo has written to the Attorney General, informing him of his intention to sue Information minister Samuel Poghisio, for wrongful dismissal.

Mr Odhiambo, who was sent packing in May following alleged mismanagement at the Postal Corporation of Kenya, is seeking close to Sh15 million.

According to Mr Odhiambo, a banker by profession, the termination was illegal since he was shown the door by Mr Poghisio.

He says the power to terminate his contract is vested in the board of directors.

Mr Odhiambo says he competitively got the job in November 2006.

His sacking followed a forensic audit of the corporation’s activities since the inception of its money transfer service, PostaPay.

The report of the audit presented to the management later allegedly established a conflict of interest between a top manager and Afripayments, the firm that manages PostaPay, he said.

Still a military man

The new Postmaster General, Maj Gen Ali is still a military officer despite his recent appointment.

Military sources told the Nation that Maj Gen Ali could still return to the forces to take up other duties.

“He is still a military man,” said the source who requested anonymity.

Questions have been raised on whether Maj Gen Ali’s appointment was within the law, with critics arguing that the President erred.