Governor Wavinya’s Govenment Awarded by Bajeti Hub ‘for its commitment to transparency and accountability in Public Finance Management’
By Anchor Writers
Machakos County workers today flexed their muscles in a protest parade to demand outstanding payments owed by their employer.
The protest underlines growing anger over delayed salaries and non-remittance of statutory and third-party deductions by the County Government of Machakos.
County services were grounded as staff obeyed calls by their union leaders to stage parades in all offices on the devolved unit in the county.
The workers marched and chanted pointed messages directed at the county administration, including “Bado Mapambano” — the struggle is not yet over — signalling their determination to sustain the protest until their grievances are addressed.
As we went to press, salaries for August were yey to hit accounts of the workers- meaning that a late night staff circular issued on Monday by County Secretary Dr Muya Ndambuki assuring staff of payments today was not honoured.
At the county headquarters, Dr. Ndambuki (Pictured below)
addressed the protesting workers in an attempt to persuade them to call off the protests, but the employees remained adamant, demanding concrete action and payment of what they said was owed to them.
The protest followed a 24-hour ultimatum issued on Monday by eight unions representing county employees, demanding immediate settlement of outstanding salaries and verified arrears, remittance of statutory and pension deductions, clearance of other employee dues and regular, timely payment of wages.
The unions had warned that unless the grievances were addressed, their members would continue visiting county offices daily until their concerns were heard and acted upon.
Union leaders raised particular concern over deductions made from workers’ salaries for obligations including bank loans, PAYE, the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), which they alleged had not been remitted on time.
They said the delays had left many employees under severe financial strain, with some struggling to meet basic obligations despite continuing to report for duty.
The Salary Parade is scheduled to continue for seven days if the grievances remain unresolved.
The unions have also indicated that further lawful industrial action could follow if the county government fails to address their concerns.
The protest brought together officials and members of the County Government Workers Union (COGWU), Kenya Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM), Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO), Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEPPHU), Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dieticians (KUNAD), and Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists (KNUPT).
Ndambuki received the union leaders and workers at the county headquarters and acknowledged that the county government had failed to address some of the issues raised.
The protesters who numbered over 100 were later given Sh 1,000 each before leaving the county headquarters.
He pledged that the administration would take action to resolve the outstanding matters, although the workers maintained their demand for tangible action on their salaries and deductions.
But the irony of the Salary show down came as Bajeti Hub awarded Governor Wavinya(Pictured)
for her commitment to transparency and accountability in Public Finance Management.
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