Senate Grills Kaplan & Stratton Over Unpaid KBL Compensation as Advocate Kinyanjui Cleared
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The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare heard submissions from top legal representatives in the controversial Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) compensation dispute involving 125 former employees.
Chaired by Sen. Julius Murgor (West Pokot), the Committee summoned Kaplan & Stratton Advocates, representing KBL, and Advocate Harrison Kinyanjui, acting for the petitioners, to clarify long-standing grievances over unpaid terminal dues. The hearing followed escalating pressure from a petition by the former employees, alleging that they had not received full compensation following a court ruling in their favor.
Advocate Harrison Kinyanjui opened by objecting to the hearing on grounds of sub judice, citing an upcoming court date on May 2, 2025, and Senate Standing Order 103, which limits discussion on matters before the courts. However, Senators, referencing a 2018 Speaker’s ruling, resolved to proceed under Article 125(1) of the Constitution, asserting the Committee’s right to gather evidence and conduct inquiries akin to judicial authority.
Kaplan & Stratton, represented by Advocate Peter Gachuhi, argued that their obligations had been fulfilled, stating that Kshs. 9.4 million had been paid in accordance with court instructions, with signed discharge vouchers to confirm full and final settlement.
But the Committee was unconvinced.
Senators, led by Gloria Orwoba, challenged the scope of the payments, pointing to court Paragraphs 18 and 20, which referenced one-month salary in lieu of notice—amounts allegedly not covered by the referenced consent. Gachuhi maintained that the payments addressed only the withheld deposits noted in Paragraph 14, suggesting the remaining dues were pending appeal.
This distinction proved critical.
Kinyanjui clarified that his firm had received and distributed all funds paid, and that the yet unpaid component pertained to damages for unlawful termination—a responsibility that still lay with KBL. The Senators unanimously agreed that the misperception of Kinyanjui’s role had unfairly damaged his reputation.
In a firm directive, the Committee instructed the Advocates Complaints Commission to oversee the transfer of the outstanding one-month salary compensations from Kaplan & Stratton to Advocate Kinyanjui for disbursement, setting a June 2025 deadline.
In a rare Senate moment, Sen. Gloria Orwoba called on the petitioners to apologize to Advocate Kinyanjui for “unjustly maligning” his character, affirming his pro bono efforts on their behalf. Sen. Seki Lenku (Kajiado) echoed the sentiment, urging the workers to remain patient and appreciative of Kinyanjui’s dedication.
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