BY SAM ALFAN.
A former editor at the Standard has threatened to institute private prosecution against the directors of the country’s largest circulating newspaper over the failure to pay her dues.
Evelyne Kwamboka, who was employed by Standard for more than a decade, said she will be forced to institute private prosecution against the firm’s directors, if the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga failed to institute the charges.
Through lawyer Kethi Kilonzo, Kwamboka gave the DPP seven days to decide whether he will charge the directors of Standard Group.
The senior journalist is accusing Standard Group Limited for violating Section 17 (10) of the Employment Act.
“Should you fail to mount the criminal prosecution within the next 7 days we have instructions to seek leave of the Employment and Labour Relations Court to institute private criminal prosecution against the Directors of the Standard Group Limited pursuant to Article 157 (6) and (7) of the Constitution of Kenya, Section 88 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, and Section 28 of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Act,” lawyer Kethi said in the letter to the DPP.
Kwamboka said she lodged a criminal complaint against the Standard Group Limited on 4th December 2024 at Industrial Area Police Station and was issued with an O.B number 60/4/2024.
“The complaint relates to the criminal offence committed by the Directors under Section 17 (10) of the Employment Act, for failing to make payment of dues owed to our client upon unlawfully declaring her redundant,” the demand letter added.
The company has been experiencing financial difficulties in the recent past and has delayed paying salaries to employees for months.
Standard Group also failed to honour pay promises made to former employees and agreeing on a redundancy programme.
The delays has led to protests, go-slows, and calls for government intervention.
