County Staff Protest over Delayed December Salary

Bomet,

Tuesday, December 26, 2023,

KNA by Lamech Willy A.

Bomet County Government Workers have protested against the County administration failure to remit December salaries.

The staff said they have nothing to celebrate during Christmas and New Year due to lack of money.

Kenya County Government Workers Union Bomet Branch Secretary David Rono accused the county administration of disregarding staff welfare and described the development as unfortunate.

“It is sad Staff are going for Christmas break without salaries and they have nothing to celebrate like everyone else,” Rono said.

Speaking to the media in Bomet town, Rono claimed the staff morale has been affected by the move adding that they would stage a go-slow in January if the salaries arrears were not paid.

“We are not taking the non-remittance very lightly. The county administration is not keen on our welfare as county staff and we are being forced to call industrial action,” added Rono.

Rono who was in the company of his Deputy Charles Korir said salary delays in Bomet have become a norm and should be discouraged by the downing of tools.

The secretary also noted that the county had failed to reinstate staff sacked illegally after an employment and labour court in Kericho directed they should be reinstated.

He claimed the salary delays had seen some staff properties get auctioned by banks due to loans and being turned away by hospitals as their NHIF contributions have never been remitted.

“I wonder what the county leadership is thinking when its workforce is demoralized and fighting auctioneers or are being turned away from hospitals because their NHIF is not up-to-date,” he said.

He added: “We are contemplating an industrial action in January as it seems the only language the county administration can listen to is protests and demonstration.”

However, during a recent end-year party for health workers, Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok said the delay had been occasioned by the late release of funds from the exchequer.

Barchok assured staff the money would be paid this week so that they get money to celebrate the festive season.

Courtesy; KNA