The National Authority for Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) has recognised John Muthoni, a 2NK driver who was sacked for reporting to police high school students were smoking bhang and drinking alcohol in his matatu last month.
While speaking at the Nyeri Governor’s office, Nacada CEO Victor Okioma issued the former 2NK Sacco employee with a certificate for his exemplary deed in fighting drug and substance abuse in society.
He appreciated the act done by the driver citing that it was unfair that he received condemnation instead of praise following the incident.
According to the Nacada boss, Mr Muthoni behaved as a responsible parent by resorting to reporting the students who were traveling from Nyeri to Nairobi for their mid-term break, to the Sagana Police Station.
But the highly intoxicated crowd of 14 minors allegedly jumped out of the moving vehicle through the windows before the driver could reach the report desk.
Mr Okioma urged drivers to be extra vigilant during the festive season and follow Mr Muthoni’s example by reporting any drugs and substance abuse by their passengers to the police.
“Of late, we have received a lot of incidences of this kind where children are abusing drugs while travelling back to school and we want to encourage all drivers to follow this example,” said Mr Okioma.
Governor Mutahi Kahiga, who hosted the Nacada boss, said that following Mr Muthoni’s termination of employment, the county hired him on a temporary contract in one of its departments.
“At the expiry of the temporary contract we will offer him a permanent job as a driver of the county government,” noted Mr Kahiga.
So as to help locals dealing with drug addiction in the county, Mr Kahiga said the county, in conjunction with Nacada, is constructing a rehabilitation centre in Ihururu town.
Muthoni was reportedly sacked by the 2NK Sacco following the incident that happened on November 17.
After the students seven boys and seven girls, jumped out of the vehicle before they were arrested, some bags and a bottle of alcohol were recovered from the vehicle.
But the sacco management has since dismissed claims that they fired him because of the incident, saying he was facing other disciplinary issues.
The sacco event accused the Mr Muthoni of defrauding the organisation Sh2,100 by failing to remit the fare charged to the students.
As a result of his termination, Mr Muthoni, in a letter dated December 8, 2021 written to 2NK Sacco, is demanding a total of Sh2.16 million as compensation for the unfair cessation of employment.
Through lawyer Munga Ndichu, Mr Muthoni also is also demanding the withdrawal of the sacco’s statement accusing him of fraud and dishonesty, terming it as defamatory.
He has threatened to move to court if he is not paid Sh276,472 as compensation for unlawful termination and Sh115,197 and Sh288,080 for unpaid leave and rest days for the last five years.
He is further demanding Sh1.14 million as underpayment, Sh207,354 house allowance, Sh115,197 as service pay and Sh23,039 as payment in lieu of notice. BY DAILY NATION