After dedicating 14 years to the National Bank of Kenya, Dorcas Ndirangu’s contract came to an end, marking a bitter conclusion to her tenure at the financial institution. Dorcas was employed in 2008, and held multiple roles throughout her service, ending as a Customer Services Consultant at the bank’s Ruiru branch.
In her affidavit, Ndirangu outlines incidents she believes were intended to force her out of the job. She claims it began with a flawed performance review in March 2021, which she successfully appealed after an alleged error in her evaluation. Following the appeal, she received a warning letter she felt lacked substance, indicating, in her view, a coordinated effort to terminate her employment.
The alleged pattern continued with a series of “show cause” letters. The first, dated October 14, 2021, accused her of improperly withholding funds meant to open new customer accounts. Ndirangu explained that the delay was due to operational issues with the bank’s account-opening procedures. A second letter, issued on December 31, 2021, cited her for frequent lateness and absences, which she claims were due to health issues and caring for her ill child. A third letter in March 2022 alleged mismanagement of a client interaction, which led to disciplinary proceedings.
Ndirangu argues that she was denied access to the bank’s investigation report and details on the incident cited in her termination hearing, resulting in what she deemed an unfair process. The bank, however, maintained that her actions damaged its corporate image, citing customer complaints on social media.
In a ruling on July 11, 2024, Judge O.M. Maina found procedural flaws in NBK’s decision to terminate Ndirangu’s contract, declared it unfair, and awarded her three months’ salary, totaling Ksh. 629,703, as compensation.
