East African Breweries PLC (EABL) has been ordered to compensate a former senior manager over KSh 10.8 million for wrongful and unfair termination.
In a ruling delivered on July 24, 2025, Justice Linnet Ndolo of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi found that EABL failed to follow due process when dismissing Bernard Ng’eno, who previously served as the Divisional Sales Manager-Mountain.
According to court documents seen by BRK, the disciplinary process was marred by procedural flaws, including EABL’s refusal to provide Ng’eno with crucial evidence such as the investigation report and witness statements used to support the dismissal.
Ng’eno, who joined the company in 2011 as a Sales Representative and rose through the ranks, was summarily dismissed on November 7, 2023, over allegations of fraud, policy violations, misappropriation of company property, and gross negligence during promotional events like “Isiolo Fest” and “Embu Sevens Activation.”
He denied all allegations, terming the disciplinary process a witch-hunt.
Justice Ndolo ruled that the company failed to substantiate claims of gross misconduct and had denied the employee a fair hearing. As a result, the court awarded Ng’eno:
12 months’ salary compensation amounting to KSh 10,058,300
One month’s salary in lieu of notice at KSh 838,199
Other claims, including leave pay and bonuses, were dismissed due to lack of evidence.
The total compensation of KSh 10,896,787 will accrue interest until fully settled. EABL was also directed to pay the legal costs of the case.
This case highlights the importance of procedural fairness in disciplinary processes and serves as a warning to employers against violating employee rights.
