The three-year deadline most dismissed workers in Kenya never hear about

Under the Employment Act 2007, a claim for unfair termination must generally be brought within three years of the dismissal. Three years sounds generous — but people spend the first months hoping the employer will reconsider, and the deadline arrives faster than expected.

The period runs from the date the dismissal takes effect, not from when you feel ready or when negotiations stall. Internal appeals do not automatically stop the clock, so 'we are still discussing' is dangerous comfort.

Collect the termination letter, your contract, payslips and any written warnings. Write down the timeline while it is fresh. Then get advice on whether the procedure was fair — notice and a hearing are not optional extras under Kenyan law.

Our full guide to unfair termination covers the notice owed, the hearing requirement, and what the Employment and Labour Relations Court can award. CHAT CLYDE SLP can also read your termination letter and flag the issues with the section it relied on.