Registrar of Trade Unions Beatrice Mathenge found guilty of contempt in court on November 3, 2023.

In a recent court ruling, Registrar of Trade Unions Beatrice Mathenge has been sentenced to one month in jail for failing to comply with court orders in a case brought against her by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU).

The Employment and Labour Relations Court Principal Judge Byram Ongaya also imposed an alternative fine of Ksh.100,000 on Ms. Mathenge. If she fails to pay the fine, she will serve the one-month prison sentence.

Judge Ongaya’s decision was based on Mathenge’s failure to register KMPDU officials following their election, despite previous court orders directing her to do so.

According to KMPDU, they duly elected their officials on June 11, 2022, and communicated this to Ms. Mathenge for registration on June 13, 2022. However, the Registrar did not fulfill her duty, leading the union to seek legal action. They received a favorable ruling on February 10, 2023, directing the Registrar to register their officials as mandated by the court.

Despite numerous letters from KMPDU, the registrar  did not comply with the court order, nor did she file any responses in the case. This prompted KMPDU to file a contempt application on March 6, 2023, seeking her commitment to civil jail for her disregard of the court’s orders.

On October 25, Justice Ongaya found Mathenge guilty of contempt and issued a warrant for her arrest. She was subsequently taken into custody.

This case highlights the importance of compliance with court orders, and it serves as a reminder that failure to do so can lead to legal consequences.

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