The Labour Court by the Nairobi branch of the Kenya County Government Workers Union (KCGWU) has compelled the Governor Ann Kananu’s administration to pay City Hall workers their salary arrears with immediate effect.
This comes after a suit was lodged by Nairobi County workers over their four-month salaries amounting to over Sh765 million.
The union is seeking an explanation from Nairobi County administration on why the employees have not been receiving their salaries yet these have been released by the National Treasury.
“It has been four months since Nairobi County started the said diversion of funds and this has seriously exposed the claimants’ members to unnecessary financial constraints… such as denial of loans by lending institutions,” said the unions.
The unions are seeking interim orders pending the No services: Effects of the strike organised by the union hearing and determination of the suit.
The petitioners also accuse the Nairobi County government of diverting the money received from the Controller of Budget to other activities.
The workers had downed their tools for the better part of Monday, refusing to report to their various work stations at City Hall Annexe, protesting poor working conditions, among other issues.
The workers accused the county government of failing to pay them their salaries, allowances and statutory deductions even after receiving Sh765 million from the Controller of Budget for payment of salaries, allowances, statutory deductions and remittances… as per individual contractual agreements.
While protesting, the staff had locked the VIP entrance along City Hall Way which is used by the Governor and other high profile public figures from outside using a chain and padlock.
The other entrance which comprises of the executive wing and city hall annexe were not spared as the gates were also locked.
However, the strike was called off after an agreement was reached between the Kenya County government workers Union (KCGWU) and Nairobi County officials.
“After several talks with representative of the governor we have agreed to call off the strike immediately but on agreed terms,” Union’s Assistant secretary Festus Ngari said