Kenyan woman wins HIV case
Published:Thursday | July 10, 2008 | 3:37 PM
An HIV-positive Kenyan woman has won US$35,000 in a landmark ruling against her employer for unfair dismissal.
The BBC reports that the 45 year old waitress, whose identity has been withheld, also sued her doctor for revealing her HIV status without her consent.
The High Court ruled that it was unlawful to end employment on the grounds of a person\'s HIV status.
None of the defendants admitted liability.
At least 2.5 million out of 32 million Kenyans are currently living with HIV/Aids.
The woman\'s former employer, Home Park Caterers, said the company had not requested a medical test, and was not aware of her status when she was sacked.
The former waitress told the court that her letter of termination said she had been sacked on medical grounds, and for being unable to perform her duties.
The High Court\'s decision is the first such ruling in Kenya.