Woman Retrenched without Explanation Sues Employer, Change.org

A Kenyan woman has sued US-based Change.Org, the world’s largest petition platform, and its local agents for illegal termination of her contract on account of her gender.

Ms Priscilla Muthoni Maingi, who served as Change.Org’s country director, says in the petition certified as urgent that she was terminated on claims of her post becoming redundant, but that the California-based firm and its agents went ahead to replace her with a man.

Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge Byram Ongaya has granted Ms Maingi the permission to serve Change.Org and its agents by mail after arguing that her lawyers cannot effect service to the firm without the court’s nod.

“I have considered the application and the accompanying supporting affidavit and exhibits thereto, and certify the application urgent,” the judge said while directing that the case be mentioned within 21 days for directions.

Ms Maingi has sued LTSDL KYA Solutions Ltd, an outsourcing company registered in Kenya, DEEL Ke, an agent of DEEL INC, a multinational based in California, and Change.Org.

The multinational and its agents have no physical office in Kenya, she said.

According to court documents, she was employed as the country director in 2022 but was fired in February this year. She argues that she was not given reasons for the redundancy of her job as required by law in contravention of her rights.

Ms Maingi says her role in the company was to start campaigns, mobilise supporters and work with decision makers to drive solutions through the online platform https://www.change.org/t/kenya.

Ms Maingi was appointed country director on October 29, 2022 and all was well until early this year when she was informed that she would be terminated as from February, but was not given reasons when she sought an explanation.