County workers go on strike over unpaid dues

A Machakos County Government employee little the road with garbage shortly after they downed their tools due to lack of payment. They were protesting a three months delay of payment by the government.PETERSON GITHAIGA

Business came to a halt in Athi River town yesterday after a section of Machakos County employees downed their tools.

The more than 100 casual workers went on strike protesting lack of payment.

The workers, who were later joined by Makadara MCA Mutua Mutuku, littered the streets with garbage, inconveniencing motorists.

Waving placards and twigs, the workers also accused the county government of paying them poorly and withholding their dues.

They claimed some of them have gone without salaries for three months while others are being underpaid.

Addressing the striking workers, Mr Mutuku told revenue collectors to stop working until their dues were paid.

"I am warning the revenue collectors to stop taking money from businesspeople until we are told where the money allocated for casual workers has been taken,'' said Mutuku.

Ann Muthoki, who said she has been working for the county since last year, told The Standard that she has not received her salary since June.

Crisis meeting

''We have gone without cerebrating Christmas and the New Year festivals due to lack of money while we have worked for all these months,'' said Muthoki.

They claimed they had an agreement with the county government since last year that their salary would be paid but no one seems to care about them.

"We are expected to take our children back to school and we are wondering where to get the money for school fees,'' said Joseph Mutuku, a father of three.

Our efforts to reach the sub-county managers was fruitless as they were said to be in a crisis meeting.