County Workers issue strike notice

By Peter Ochieng

County governments should brace for a strike that may cripple service delivery in devolved units across the country in the coming days, if workers grievances are not settled in three weeks time.

Through their Kenya County Government Workers Union (KCGWU), the workers issued a 21-day strike demanding immediate address of their salary disputes.

The notice has been served to all the 47 County Secretaries.

KCGWU represents various county employees, including firemen, garbage collectors, revenue clerks and Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers, among dozens of others.

KCGWU Secretary General Roba Duba while issuing the strike notice wondered why the national government had elected to increase salaries for public servants under the national government, while excluding county employees.

“We hereby demand the immediate implementation of the salary increment for all county employees without any further delay within 21 days. Failure to comply will result in a call for all county employees to down their tools until the matter is addressed,” said Roba.

He indicated that President William Ruto's directive on the increase of their salaries had either been ignored or 'swept under the carpet.'

“We addressed the President through a letter dated August 30, 2023, regarding the discrimination against county government workers. The head of Public Service directed the State Department for devolution to address the matter, but nothing has been forthcoming, which is against the President’s directive."

Duba expressed disbelief and frustration over the withdrawal of a salary increase circular that initially applied to all public servants, only to be reinstated for national government employees, leaving county workers out.

Last month, the government implemented a pay rise for police officers, teachers, and civil servants under the national government as part of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).