Kenyan Tech CEO Ordered to Pay $10,000 in Landmark Sexual Harassment Case
A Kenyan court has mandated a significant compensation payment in a workplace sexual harassment case that has shed light on misconduct within the country’s tech sector. The Employment and Labour Relations Court ruled against Oscar Limoke, CEO of Pawa IT Solutions Limited, ordering him to pay KES 1.32 million (approximately $10,000) to a former employee who was subjected to sexual harassment and assault.
The verdict, delivered by Justice S.C. Rutto on September 19, 2025, found that the Nairobi-based cloud services company failed to protect its employee from workplace abuse. The former employee, identified in court documents as RAO, will receive KES 120,000 ($912) as notice pay and KES 1.2 million ($9,120) in compensation, plus accruing interest.
The case centers on events that led to RAO’s resignation in May 2023. Court documents reveal that the employee faced sexual harassment and assault, including inappropriate messages and explicit content sent by Limoke. The CEO’s actions, including sharing a vulgar TikTok video with his subordinate, were found to violate Section 6(1) of the Employment Act, which prohibits unwelcome sexual conduct in the workplace.
A crucial incident occurred on January 14, 2023, when an alleged sexual encounter took place. While Limoke claimed it was consensual, the court found the victim’s immediate hospital visit and post-rape care documentation compelling evidence to the contrary. Justice Rutto specifically questioned why the employee would seek post-rape care and counseling if the encounter had been consensual.
The court’s investigation revealed serious institutional failures at Pawa IT, a company with fewer than 20 permanent employees. The internal investigation was compromised by conflicts of interest, as the HR director was Limoke’s spouse. This arrangement, combined with Limoke’s position as co-founder, director, and shareholder, effectively denied the victim any meaningful internal recourse.
Despite Pawa IT and Limoke denying wrongdoing and filing a counterclaim for KES 6.6 million ($50,300) in alleged business losses, the court dismissed their defense. Limoke’s attempt to characterize his behavior as part of an “informal, fun” workplace culture was explicitly rejected by the judge.
The ruling sets an important precedent for how Kenyan courts handle workplace harassment cases, particularly recognizing emotional and sexual harm as valid grounds for constructive dismissal. In the aftermath of the verdict, Limoke has removed his online presence, including his LinkedIn profile.
The court ordered both the claim and counterclaim costs to be paid by Pawa IT and Limoke, reinforcing the severity of the judgment and its implications for workplace conduct in Kenya’s growing tech sector.
