Bajaber v Planning Systems Services Limited (Cause E871 of 2021) [2025] KEELRC 2846 (KLR)
The bottom line
#An employee's resignation without notice cost him a month's salary, but his employer still had to pay admitted dues and a promised ex-gratia bonus.
What this practically means
#Executive summary
#Key legal issues
#Whether the Claimant was constructively dismissed
No; the Claimant failed to prove constructive dismissal.
Applying the Western Excavating test, the court found no conduct by the employer showing it no longer intended to be bound by the contract. The Claimant was aware of the salary reductions and furloughs and acquiesced to them. He resigned immediately after being invited to discuss new terms, and the warning letter of 16th March 2021 followed admitted absenteeism. Disillusionment with delays and reduced pay did not meet the threshold of a significant breach going to the root of the contract.
Whether the Respondent owed the claimed withheld salary, ex-gratia and dues
Judgment entered on admission for Kshs.1,289,724.07 plus the ex-gratia balance of Kshs.650,000; thirteenth-month and residual leave claims failed.
The Respondent admitted owing final dues of Kshs.1,289,724.07, warranting judgment on admission per Choitram v Nazari. The ex-gratia offer of Kshs.650,000 had crystallised, as a letter of 12th June 2020 acknowledged Kshs.1,350,000 owed on account of ex-gratia; forfeiture on resignation could not stand. However, the thirteenth-month salary claim was not a contractual entitlement and no evidence proved it, and the leave claim beyond the admitted portion was unproven given the furloughs the Claimant accepted.
Whether the Respondent's counter-claim for notice pay succeeds
Yes; the Respondent is entitled to one month's salary (Kshs.273,800) in lieu of notice.
The Claimant resigned with immediate effect by his letter of 13th September 2021, severing employment without notice. Since constructive dismissal was not established, he was bound to give one month's notice or pay salary in lieu. The court followed authority holding that employees who resign without serving or paying for contractual notice are in breach, and allowed the counter-claim as prayed.
Legal principles established
#- Judgment may be entered on a clear and unambiguous admission of debt.
- Where an employer has acknowledged an ex-gratia offer as owed, the sum has crystallised and cannot be forfeited merely because the employee resigned.
- An employee who resigns without serving or paying for the contractual notice period, where constructive dismissal is not proved, is liable to pay one month's salary in lieu of notice.
Court orders
#- 1.The Respondent to pay the Claimant the admitted final dues of Kshs.1,289,724.07
- 2.Payment of additional ex-gratia payment of Kshs.650,000
- 3.The Respondent to deduct one month salary of Kshs.273,800 from the sums awarded on account of the Counter-Claim
- 4.The Respondent to bear half the costs of the suit, the Counter-Claim having succeeded
- Jurisdiction invoked
- Employment and Labour Relations Court jurisdiction under the Employment Act, 2007 (first-instance employment claim and counter-claim)
Key timeline
#Practical implications
#Frequently asked questions
#Cite this brief
#Cite this brief
Caselaw, "Bajaber v Planning Systems Services Limited (Cause E871 of 2021) [2025] KEELRC 2846 (KLR)", Case Analysis (2025). Not stated in the extract. Source: https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/judgment/keelrc/2025/2846/eng@2025-10-23
Suggested citation format for research notes or client memos. Always verify the original judgment before relying on any point.