BY SAM ALFAN.
Inspector General of police David Kanja has been directed to forward a file relating to a complaint lodged against Standard Media Group by a former employer.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) through Deputy Director Public Prosecution Jacinta Nyamosi directed Kanja to forward the file, containing a complaint lodged by Evelyn Kwamboka, for perusal and directions.
Kwamboka accuses directors of Standard Group or failed to pay her dues after declaring her redundant over a year ago.
“The complainant reported the matter at Industrial Area police station on 4th December, 2024 and was issued with OB No. 60/4/2024,” state the ODPP letter to the IG.
The journalist through lawyer Kethi Kilonzo had initially written to the DPP threatening to institute private prosecution against the directors of the country’s second largest circulating newspaper, over the failure to pay her dues.
Kwamboka, who was employed by Standard for more than two decades threatened to institute private prosecution against the firm’s directors, if the DPP failed to act.
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.
