The Court of Appeal in Mombasa turned down another try from Laban Ochieng to restart his job case against Awanad Enterprises on May 9. Ochieng blamed his missing lawyer for causing delays in his appeal papers. He said he also had trouble getting court documents from earlier hearings. His new lawyers argued these problems should not stop him from seeking justice. Justice Gatembu did not accept these reasons.
The case began when a labor court threw out Ochieng's claim on June 18, 2021. Ochieng filed appeal papers more than a year late and missed other key steps. The companies he sued complained about his many attempts to keep the case going despite clear rules. They said he waited until November 2024 to ask for extra time after his appeal was already rejected. The judge agreed with the companies.
Justice Gatembu said asking for more time is not something a person can demand but must earn. He noted that Ochieng never explained why he waited three years to fix his case problems. The court ordered Ochieng to pay the other side's legal costs. This ruling likely ends his hopes of winning his unfair firing claim.
The case began when a labor court threw out Ochieng's claim on June 18, 2021. Ochieng filed appeal papers more than a year late and missed other key steps. The companies he sued complained about his many attempts to keep the case going despite clear rules. They said he waited until November 2024 to ask for extra time after his appeal was already rejected. The judge agreed with the companies.
Justice Gatembu said asking for more time is not something a person can demand but must earn. He noted that Ochieng never explained why he waited three years to fix his case problems. The court ordered Ochieng to pay the other side's legal costs. This ruling likely ends his hopes of winning his unfair firing claim.
