The recent verdict from the Kenyan Court of Appeal in Clara Wanjiku Odero versus Flutterwave, the Pan-African fintech company, marks the culmination of a legal dispute that dates back to 2018. Odero, formerly Flutterwave’s Head of Implementation for the Rest of Africa, filed a lawsuit against the company, accusing it of negligence, bullying, and harassment.
Key points from the case:
- Odero’s claims were twofold: she accused Flutterwave of negligence for failing to update her contact details on its M-Pesa Paybill account, leading to unwanted associations with fraudulent activities, and she also alleged that Olugbenga Agboola, Flutterwave’s CEO, bullied and harassed her, which contributed to her resignation.
- As part of her legal action, Odero demanded $900,000 in compensation. However, a lower court had initially awarded her Ksh. 250,000 (approximately $2,500), a sum she considered insufficient, leading her to appeal the decision.
- Flutterwave acknowledged the delay in removing her contact details and apologized for the mix-up. However, it denied any harassment or bullying by Agboola and stated that the company strives to maintain a safe working environment free from such behaviour.
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Appeal Court Decision:
- Justice Alexander Muasya, who presided over the case in the Court of Appeal, upheld the lower court’s ruling, agreeing that there was insufficient evidence to support Odero’s claims of reputational damage. He found the Ksh. 250,000 damages reasonable and ruled that there was no reason to overturn the earlier decision.
- One of the deciding factors in the appeal was Odero’s inability to provide medical evidence or any independent proof to substantiate her claims of emotional distress or reputational harm.
- The final ruling maintains that the compensation for the mix-up in contact details is capped at Ksh. 250,000.
Broader Implications:
Since Odero’s accusations, other former Flutterwave employees have come forward with similar claims, accusing the company of a toxic work culture that includes bullying and misconduct. These emerging allegations could lead to further scrutiny of Flutterwave’s internal practices and the company’s workplace culture.
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This case serves as a broader reflection on corporate accountability and employee well-being in the fintech sector, particularly as Flutterwave expands its operations across Africa. The ruling might also set a precedent for how courts in Kenya deal with workplace-related legal disputes, especially in fast-growing industries like fintech.
