Nairobi County workers strike
Nairobi City County has plunged into yet another crisis after employees threatened to paralyze services over unpaid September salaries. The Kenya County Government Workers Union (KCGWU) has advised its members to slow down services and, where necessary, stay at home until their salaries are processed.
In a strongly worded letter dated September 17, 2025, addressed to Nairobi County Secretary Godfrey Akumali, KCGWU branch secretary Calvince Okello said the prolonged delay had left workers struggling to meet personal and family obligations.
“This situation has rendered staff unable to attend to personal and family obligations, including commuting to work. As the county management resolves the salaries issue as per circular NCC/CS/GA/832 dated 9th September 2025, the union hereby advises 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 stated.
💰 Salary Crisis Deepens at City Hall
The crisis has been worsened by reports that the Co-operative Bank has declined to provide salary advances, leaving workers without any financial reprieve.
With the County Revenue Fund (CRF) currently standing at Sh700 million, against a ballooning wage bill of Sh1.7 billion, Nairobi County’s financial woes appear far from over.
The delay in paying staff has left many demoralized, with some unable to afford basic necessities, including transport to work.
⚖️ Political Tensions After Sakaja’s Survival
The salary standoff comes just days after Governor Johnson Sakaja narrowly survived an impeachment motion at the Nairobi County Assembly. The political turbulence has added to the pressure facing his administration, which is now battling to stabilize City Hall operations amid mounting debt and strained resources.
Union officials have warned that if the stalemate continues, critical county services—such as garbage collection, health, and licensing—could grind to a halt, further inconveniencing Nairobi residents.
🚨 What’s Next for City Hall Workers?
The KCGWU has maintained that its members will not return to normal duty until the September salaries are credited to their accounts. The union insists that the county government must prioritize staff welfare to restore confidence and ensure smooth service delivery.
Meanwhile, the county treasury is racing against time to mobilize resources to settle the wage bill, even as revenue collection continues to lag behind projections.
Observers say the standoff reflects deeper issues of financial mismanagement and ballooning expenditure, which have persistently crippled Nairobi County’s ability to deliver services effectively.
For now, the threat of a full-blown strike looms large, with the livelihoods of thousands of county workers and the daily functioning of Kenya’s capital at stake.