Trans Nzoia County government workers have issued a week-long notice for the County administration to pay them their June salaries, failure to which they will go on strike. Led by their Secretary General Eliud Nabiyimba, they appealed to the administration led by County Governor Patrick Khaemba to take care of the issue within the stipulated time. They said that they have sufficient evidence their salaries were released by the National Treasury to the County government, but the money has been assigned elsewhere.
“We are aware the National Treasury sent money to the County to cater for our salaries, but we are shocked to learn that it’s being used in campaigns,” said Nabiyimba. Furthermore, they said they’ve been unable to cater for their families as a result.
They’ve appealed to the government auditor to go to the County and establish how the money is being misused, and ensure the ones responsible face the full force of the law.
Elsewhere, nurses in the County continued their strike and called upon the County and National government to honour their CBA. Led by their KNUN Branch Secretary General Willy Sifuna, they said they won’t go back to work until official communication is received from the nurses union pertaining their payment.
Sifuna said the nurses have been taken for a ride by the Council of Governors and the government, and they appealed to the two parties to honour the agreement. He expressed his displeasure with the manner the County government is treating nurses, adding that they’ve ordered that nurses should go back to work or face disciplinary action.
He insisted that the County government should threaten the nurses, but should find an opportunity to hold negotiations so that an amicable solution can be found.
His sentiments were echoed by Trans Nzoia Union of Workers Chairman Edward Cheruiyot, who urged all nurses to stabilize their stand. He condemned the government and the Council of Governors for politicizing the ongoing countrywide nurses’ strike. He said nurses have been ill-treated for long, and it’s high time their woes are resolved.
“We are appealing to the Council of Governors and the Ministry of Health to quickly resolve the problem so that we work in harmony and go back to work immediately,” said Cheruiyot.