Nairobi County staff have been directed by their union to stay at home and abscond all duties.
This follows delays that have left workers without pay for weeks.
In a letter dated September 17, 2025, the Kenya County Government Workers Union (KCGWU) accused the county administration of breaching a return-to-work agreement signed last month.
In the letter, the union noted that the county had committed to paying salaries by the 5th of every month.
However, the union noted that by mid-September, county staff had not received their August salaries or July third-party remittances.
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 gross contravention of the Return to Work agreement.
Further, the letter explained that many workers are struggling to meet obligations such as school fees, rent, and loan repayments.
“This gross contravention of the Return to Work agreement has made staff unable to attend to personal and family obligations, including committing to work,” said branch secretary Calvince Okello.
Also Read: Why Nairobi County Workers Will Wait Longer for August Salaries
Nairobi County Workers Address Governor Sakaja
The letter, addressed to Governor Johnson Sakaja, advised union members who cannot afford to commute to duty to remain at home until the salaries are credited.
It warned that unless the situation is resolved urgently, Nairobi residents should expect disruptions to essential services.
“We advise our members 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,” Okello added.
The letter was copied to the County Secretary, the CEC for Finance and Economic Planning, and the union’s national leadership.
This is the second salary standoff in as many months.
In August, county workers staged a five-day strike over similar delays, forcing the administration to sign a return-to-work formula on August 11.
The deal committed the county to pay all staff by the 5th of each month going forward.
The county government had not issued a response by press time.
Also Read: Nairobi County to Hire 2,452 Permanent and Pensionable Workers
Earlier Notice of Salary Delays
Nairobi City County had earlier notified employees that August 2025 salaries would be delayed due to the late release of equitable share funds from the National Treasury.
In a circular dated September 9, County Secretary and Head of Public Service Godfrey Akumali explained that the county was engaging relevant offices to ensure staff are paid once funds are released.
The circular acknowledged the hardship caused by the delays, assuring workers that management considered the matter a top priority.
“We fully appreciate that timely salary payment is critical in meeting personal and family obligations,” the notice read in part.
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