FIDA defends guard who made Matiang’i queue

Federation of women lawyers in Kenya (FIDA) is seeking to be enjoined in a labour dispute involving former female security supervisor at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Daizy Cherogony and Kenya Airports Authority.

Ms Cherogony sued KAA for sacking her on accusations of misconduct for ‘mistreating’ Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i at the airport on April 5.

FIDA national chairperson Josephine Mong’are told Nation.co.ke that the federation will make an application to be enjoined in the suit as an interested party at the Labour Relations court to defend Ms Cherogony, 37.

Ms Mong’are said the CS and the KAA’s leadership should be held accountable for miseries of the former security guard.

She termed the dismissal illegal and against the former employee’s rights as she expressed concerns over the CS’ denial from direct involvement into the sacking.

SPECIAL TREATMENT

“It is extremely disheartening for Kenyans to be treated to mere denial of facts and not specifically addressing the integrity issues that arise from this case. We are disturbed by the way this case is being treated differently from other public officers’ case,” said Ms Mong’are.

She called for stoppage of special treatments for public officers.

“We make reference to the incident of the former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza who was forced to step aside to allow for investigations and ultimately had to leave office.

“In this case, Kenyans are still being treated to various correspondences while the public officer involved stays put in office,” she added.

The chairperson complained that female security guards undergo harassment by public officers at various security check points.

WRONGFUL DISMISSAL

She asked KAA to defend and care for its employees and not expose them to unfair labour practices like sacking.

Ms Cherogony has already petitioned court to order for her job reinstatement plus a compensation of Sh2.4 million for wrongful dismissal stating that she was not even given a hearing prior to the dismissal.

In the petition, seen by ‘Nation’, Ms Cherogony indicates that her employment was terminated on May 11 for making the CS queue for a security check like other passengers.

She was issued with a dismissal letter signed by Managing director Jonny Anderson.

She contends that according to the security manual, cabinet secretaries usually queue like normal passengers unless they have special passes which need them to have special arrangements before they arrive at the airport.