Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is once again facing criticism from county workers over delayed salaries.
In a statement on Wednesday, September 17, the Kenya County Government Workers Union faulted the Nairobi County administration for failing to honor its commitment to pay salaries on time.
"Following a five (5) day pay parade due to perennial salary delays, on 11'h August, 2025 the union signed a Return to work formula with the county management which among other things committed that salaries henceforth would be paid by 5th of every month," the statement read.
The union recalled an earlier agreement signed with the county management after staff staged a work stoppage last month.
It noted that the county has since failed to keep its word, citing delays in July and August salaries as well as third-party remittances.
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"It's quite unfortunate that today, being the 17th of September,2025 Nairobi county staff are yet to receive their third party remittances of July,2025 and August 2025 salaries and there are no signs when the salaries will be paid. This is gross contravention of the Return to work agreement," the statement added.
The workers warned that the stalemate has severely affected their ability to report to work, pay bills, and support their families.
As such, the union has advised the county employees to scale down services in protest until their pay is released.
"This situation has made staff unable to attend to personal and family obligations including commuting to work. As the county management resolves the salaries issue as per the circular NCC/CS/GA/832 dated 9th September, 2025 the union hereby advise our member to slow down their services to the county and those unable to commute to duty to stay at home until salaries are credited to their accounts. Be duly informed," the statement concluded.
Back in July, Nairobi County medics downed their tools after going for weeks without pay.
Nurses, laboratory officers, pharmaceutical technologists and public health officers took part in the protests, citing unbearable delays in salaries that left them unable to cater for basic needs such as food.
The latest industrial action was triggered after the county failed to pay June salaries on time, pushing health facilities into crisis as services were paralysed or reduced to bare minimums.
"Yes, we are going on strike, but it is not a nationwide strike, it is only for medics in Nairobi," National Chairman Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists (KNUPT), Peter Karegwa, said at the time.
Union officials pointed out that the delays contravened the Employment Act of 2007, which requires that wages be paid promptly and not later than the fifth day after the end of the pay period.
"We regret to inform you of the withdrawal of health services by our members due to delayed payment of June salaries, which has caused them suffering.
"Under the Employment Act, 2007, Section 18(1), every employer is obligated to pay an employee's wages in a timely manner,' not later than the fifth day of the end of the pay period," four unions, including KNUPT, said in a joint statement.
