By Anchor Writers
Strike Notice Follows Official Silence Over Unresolved Grievances
Workers in Makueni County have issued a fresh notice of labour dispute, signaling a looming industrial action over what they describe as prolonged neglect of their welfare and failure by the county administration to address longstanding concerns.
The concerns predate the current administration of Governor Mutula Kilonzo(pictured) but a strike would negatively impact service delivery under his stewardship.
In a letter dated April 3, 2026 that is also copied to the governor, the County Government Workers Union (COGWU) accused the County Government of Makueni of ignoring a demand notice initially issued on February 26, 2026, which outlined eleven grievances and twelve demands.
According to the union, the county failed to acknowledge receipt of the earlier notice or provide a substantive response within the stipulated 21 days.
While the union acknowledged invitations to consultative meetings by the county’s public service board, it maintained that these engagements did not yield meaningful outcomes.
“Despite several correspondences, no concrete action has been taken, and workers continue to suffer under the prevailing circumstances,” the union stated.
At the heart of the dispute are multiple unresolved labour issues affecting county employees
The union cited failure by the county to settle salary arrears owed to former employees of the defunct Mtito-Andei Town Council, including unpaid statutory deductions. It is demanding immediate verification and full settlement of all outstanding dues.
Workers also raised concerns over the non-issuance of staff uniforms as required under employment policies. The union further faulted the county for failing to provide essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), exposing employees to unsafe working conditions.
The union noted that employees who were not issued with uniforms have also not received uniform allowances as provided for under the 2012 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). It is demanding computation and payment of all accumulated arrears.
COGWU argues that the unresolved issues have left county workers in sustained hardship, eroding morale and undermining service delivery.
The union has now escalated the matter by issuing an addendum to its earlier notice, reiterating its demands and proposing timelines for resolution, including payroll audits and structured payment plans.
However, it warned that failure by the county government to act promptly could trigger industrial action, potentially disrupting services across the county.
The dispute sets the stage for a confrontation between the workforce and county authorities, raising concerns over service continuity if the standoff is not urgently resolved.
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