The Trans
Nzoia County Government Workers Union has issued a strong appeal to Governor
George Natembeya, demanding urgent intervention over the ongoing delay in
salary payments for county civil servants.
The union
decried what it described as a deepening financial crisis that has left many
county employees unable to meet basic needs, with some now struggling to
support their families after going unpaid for three consecutive months.
Speaking to the press, union chairman Samuel Kiboi expressed frustration over what he termed as the county leadership's silence and inaction amid growing worker unrest. He noted that expectations had been high that Governor Natembeya would address the issue during a recent county prayer meeting—an occasion many workers hoped would bring reassurances or a roadmap toward resolving the payment backlog.
“Workers had hoped that the Governor would acknowledge the crisis and provide a clear plan to resolve the financial difficulties they are facing during the recent county prayer session, but he kept off the matter,” said Kiboi.
The union has criticized Governor Natembeya for what it sees as a lack of political will to confront the governance and administrative challenges behind the salary delays. Kiboi further accused the Governor of diverting attention from the real issues affecting the county workforce, warning that the current inaction risks eroding worker morale and trust in the county administration.
In addition to demanding immediate payment of salaries, the union has also raised concerns over the role played by County Chief Officer Emmanuel Masungo, alleging that his incompetence and possible mismanagement may have contributed to the current crisis.
The union is
calling for his immediate removal from office, stating that his continued
presence in the administration undermines efforts to restore financial
accountability and transparency.
“We want the Governor to take immediate action to rectify the situation or face further industrial action from the union,” Kiboi declared, emphasizing the workers’ readiness to escalate the matter.
The union has warned that if no concrete steps are taken in the coming days, it will mobilize county employees to pursue other legal and industrial actions aimed at compelling the county government to meet its obligations.
Kiboi reiterated that the issue at hand is not just about delayed salaries, but also about leadership, governance, and respect for the welfare of public servants.