Nairobi County workers are once again caught in a pay dispute with their employer after their union instructed them to remain at home until all pending salaries are released.
The matter has created fresh tension between the Kenya County Government Workers Union and Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration, with staff feeling abandoned after what they describe as repeated violations of agreements made just weeks ago.
In a letter dated September 17, 2025, the union accused the county of breaking a return-to-work deal that was signed in August after a strike that had paralyzed services for five days.
According to the terms of that deal, the county committed to paying staff by the 5th of every month, a promise that gave workers confidence to resume their duties.
However, by mid-September, employees had yet to receive their August salaries, and even third-party deductions from July remained unsettled.
Union branch secretary Calvince Okello said the situation has pushed many employees to the edge, as they are unable to meet their financial responsibilities.
He explained that the delay has made it difficult for staff to pay school fees, settle rent, or service loans, leaving them in a position where reporting to work has become nearly impossible.
In his words, the violation of the agreement has left staff unable to manage both personal and family needs.
The letter, which was copied to senior county officials and other union leaders, gave clear advice to members who cannot afford daily expenses such as transport to stay at home until salaries are paid.
It also warned Nairobi residents that key services are likely to be disrupted if the impasse continues. This means that basic operations such as garbage collection, licensing, and healthcare could face serious setbacks in the coming days.
This is not the first time Nairobi County staff are facing such frustrations. The August strike had ended only after the county signed a deal on August 11 that seemed to offer a lasting solution.
Workers had then been promised that salaries would always be released by the 5th of each month, but that assurance has now been broken in less than two months.
On its part, the county administration has shifted the blame to the National Treasury. In a circular dated September 9, County Secretary Godfrey Akumali said the delay was caused by a failure of Treasury to release equitable share funds on time.
He noted that August salaries could not be processed without those funds and assured workers that payment would be made once the money was received. He further added that the county leadership understands the struggles workers are going through as a result of the delay.
Even with this explanation, the union has maintained that the county must take responsibility for honoring agreements signed with its workers.
Until then, Nairobi residents may continue to face disruptions in crucial services as the standoff drags on. By press time, Governor Sakaja’s office had not yet given an official response on how it plans to resolve the issue.
