Tuesday, 20 May, 2025
Senators gives the advocates complaints commission a nod but seek final proof for KBL compensation closure
Mini Chamber, Parliament Buildings,Monday, 19th May 2025,
The Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare has expressed its satisfaction with the Advocates' Complaints Commission’s (ACC) handling of a Kshs14.76 million settlement owed to 125 former Kenya Breweries Ltd. (KBL) workers.
ACC's Chief Executive, Mr. George Nyakundi, confirmed that Kaplan & Stratton Advocates sent Kshs14,756,312 to Mr. Harrison Kinyanjui, the advocate representing the petitioners, on 22 January 2022—broken into Kshs9,405,541 decretal sum, Kshs4,350,771 interest up to 31 November 2021 and Kshs1 million costs. Each claimant signed a discharge voucher accepting the money “in full and final settlement” and waiving any future claims against the brewer.
After the briefing, Sen. Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira) praised the ACC for an “exhaustive and convincing chronicle,” but pointed to one loose end: “The only problem is we don’t know how to prove that some of the complainants have passed; we need documents to verify this claim.” According to Nyakundi, 46 of the 125 beneficiaries are believed to be deceased, delaying the release of their shares until death certificates or letters of administration arrive.
Sen. Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi) reinforced Sen. Omogeni’s view by reading aloud the discharge clause and declaring that, apart from verifying deaths, the settlement is airtight. His remarks steered the Committee toward basing its final decision solely on the missing paperwork.
Committee Chair Sen. Julius Murgor (West Pokot) then revisited earlier testimony that every worker had received Kshs50,000. “I remember last time we were told each complainant was given fifty thousand; is that still correct?” he asked. Mr. Nyakundi clarified that Kshs50,000 referred only to interim cheques already issued to three lead petitioners, Mr. Lawrence Nduttu (Kshs71,106), Mr. George Njigu (Kshs7,769) and Mr. James Suiyalel (Kshs 67,769). Balances for the remaining 122 claimants remain in Mr. Kinyanjui’s client account pending probate documents.
Sen. Murgor also queried Mr. Njigu about a fresh petition reportedly filed in court Monday morning. Njigu confirmed that his lawyer had lodged the papers and that the High Court will rule on Thursday after Kinyanjui files an updated claimant list. Senators accepted that explanation, agreeing that the Judiciary should conclude the process while the ACC supplies death certificates.
The Committee’s stance is the closest Parliament has come to closing a dispute that began with a 2003 lawsuit and a 2018 judgment. Barring unforeseen twists, the Senate now awaits the court and a handful of death certificates to supply the last documentation required for full closure.
With no dissent, Sen. Murgor adjourned the meeting. He said the Senate would revisit the file only if Thursday’s ruling raised fresh questions, adding that proof of death and a final court order would allow Parliament to “declare justice served.”
Senators present included Sen. Okong’o Omogeni (Nyamira), Sen. Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi), Sen. Crystal Asige (Nominated), Sen. Alexander Mundigi (Embu) and Sen. Beth Syengo (Nominated) and Sen. Gloria Orwoba (Nominated) logged on via Zoom, following deliberations remotely.