The more than 12,000 workers of the Nairobi government are likely to strike over delayed April salaries. The Kenya County Government Workers Union officials yesterday said the employees have not been paid and hinted at a strike.
The county is in crisis after the Central Bank transferred Sh1.17 billion from its bank account — funds meant for salaries — to the Kenya Revenue Authority to settle arrears.
Yesterday, county top management led by secretary and head of public service Robert Ayisi were in a crisis meeting with the union officials, to forestall a strike.
“We have not received the salaries. The county should not sacrifice us for their problems. We have a meeting with the county and we will make a decision based on what the county will tell us,” branch secretary general Boniface Waweru said.
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Board branch secretary general Thuranira Kaugiria confirmed doctors are yet to be paid.
“We are still weighing options and we will make an announcement once we make a decision,” he said on the phone yesterday.
Reached for comment, Ayisi said he was in a meeting. Public Service Management executive Mercy Kamau declined to comment. Last week, the CBK transferred money from the county’s recurrent account to the taxman to clear part of more than Sh3 billion owed by the city- county.
The debt, mostly inherited from the former Nairobi City Council, are statutory deductions the council failed to remit. The debt has been growing every month due to interest and penalties.
In December last year, Finance executive Gregory Mwakanongo said the county had made arrangements with KRA and was paying Sh200 million every month to clear the debt.