By Samson Wire
Nairobi, Kenya: The Umbrella body for Nairobi County Workers Union is up in arms accusing County Government led by Governor Mike Sonko of nonpayment of their June salaries and other deductions, amounting to 25 billion Kenya shillings.
Speaking to reporters at Cityhall, where they staged go-slow citing dishonesty on the part of the employer, The worker’s Secretary-General Boniface Waweru want last month June salaries be paid immediately and some statutory deductions also paid as was agreed between the workers and the county Management.
“We are therefore demanding our full payment for the month of June, with immediate effect. How can you work up to this date without salaries, he asked. You need to pay rent, transport food, and other expenses yet you don’t have money. How is this possible”? He asked.
” We agreed with them to promote over 10,671 workers up to now nothing has happened. They are taking us for granted. “We will paralyze everything here if these demands are not met.” He warned.
The 25 billion the union officials said are part of the deductions which arose from lapfund and laptrust, which they want to be paid as was agreed. Payments were to be done by February 2020 a thing the management has not honored up to date.
On his part Chairman Benard Nyangla was categorical, there will be no fresh negotiations on the already agreed demands. He warned the county treasury to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves. ” We are going to down tools and make sure nothing happens in this Cityhall if they don’t pay us. ” Said Mr. Nyangla.
Others who spoke were the other SG Benson Olianga, who read malice in everything.” Iam surprised by the turn of events. It’s like someone somewhere is playing games. But we won’t take it lightly.” He warned.
“If they think we are fools let them know we are focused. What we want is money. Why did the treasury promise to pay by Tuesday Evening? Only to send our workers the second message of a technical hitch in funds transfer? We read malice but let them not take us for granted. Don’t use workers to bring confusion.” He added.
Meanwhile by the time of going to press only a section of workers having accounts at the co-operative Bank had only got their salaries. Others from other banks had not received a single cent in their accounts.
The county treasury did not answer our calls or SMS as most of them were locked in their offices.
