“That pending the hearing of the motion inter partes and or further directions, an order do hereby issue restraining the respondent from further declaring any redundancies unlawfully and or unprocedurally,” said justice Radido.

“That motion be served for inter partes hearing or further orders on October 8, 2020.”

In defending the employees, The Kenya Union of Commercial Food and Allied Workers (Kucfaw) said Tuskys did not meet the 30-day notice period. The retailer is said to have issued a notice of four days.

In a redundancy letter to workers dated 21^st September, Tuskys Human Resource Manager Francis Kimani said the layoffs and restructuring is part of the ongoing business operations realignments.

He added that the affected workers will be paid notice in lieu, unutilised annual leave days and severance pay.

The terminal dues, Mr Kimani said will be paid out on February 13, 2021.

Tuskys has been struggling financially for the best part of 2020. The retail chain has had two massive layoffs and closure of stores in an attempt to keep the business afloat.

Just a week ago, the supermarket chain received a Ksh 500 Million from a Mauritius-based fund to help it settle debts and keep the business afloat. However, barely a week later, Tuskys announced that it was planning for a third layoff.