- David Ithau Wambua who was the Business Development and Operations Manager had sued the hospital (CAUSE NO E 287 OF 2021) over unlawful termination of employment. Mr Wambua was engaged by the hospital on 14th December 2017 in the position of Business Development Manager until 21st October 2020 when his contract was terminated. In a ruling dated 27th April 2023, Judge B. O. M. Manani declared “The Respondent’s decision to terminate the Claimant’s employment is declared procedurally unfair”
By The Weekly Vision
The management of the Aga Khan University Hospital has been exposed over its mistreatment and sacking of staff who hold divergent opinions. This is not the first time the hospital management is hitting media headlines for the wrong reasons. Last year, a doctor sued the hospital for allegedly sacking him for opening up and speaking out against sexual harassment by senior staff.
According to the female doctor, the management was aware of what was happening based on the previous scandals of the same nature involving the said senior officer. Unfortunately, she was later forced to write a resignation letter by the disciplinary committee before being dismissed. A year after the incident and the matter still pending in court, the Agah Khan University Hospital is at it again. Employment and Labour Relations Court at Nairobi has now ordered compensation of a former employee whose services were terminated without following procedures.
David Ithau Wambua who was the Business Development and Operations Manager had sued the hospital (CAUSE NO E 287 OF 2021) over unlawful termination of employment. Mr Wambua was engaged by the hospital on 14th December 2017 in the position of Business Development Manager until 21st October 2020 when his contract was terminated. Prior to the decision to terminate his contract, Mr Wambua claimed that the Aga Khan University management exposed him to harsh and degrading treatment in an effort to force him into resigning.
Investigations revealed that he was not given a chance to be heard in response to the accusations levelled against him. He was condemned unheard in violation of his right to fair administrative action. In a ruling dated 27th April 2023, Judge B. O. M. Manani declared “The Respondent’s decision to terminate the Claimant’s employment is declared procedurally unfair”. The ruling further reads “In lieu of reinstatement, I award the Claimant compensation for unfair termination that is equivalent to his gross salary for a period of five (5) months, that is to say, Ksh. 1,522,500”.
Following claims of staff mistreatment and sackings of both senior staff and other staff, it has been discovered that those targeted are senior staff in the revenue departments. Junior staff are under firm instructions with a daily target to meet thereby forcing them to even recommend unnecessary tests on patients with insurance medical cover. Medical staff with divergent opinions who question the rationale of doing tests and giving painkillers to patients have been scared into silence, even simple fatigue situations will see a patient being charged Ksh. 15,000 for tests. There is more than meets the eyes of Agah Khan and unless the government moves with speed to protect unsuspecting patients, Agah Khan shall continue to scam patients.
