By MAUREEN ODIWUOR??
KISUMU; KENYA: Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma has told the more than 1,500 civic workers they would only be paid their Sh100 million delayed salaries if they increase revenue collection.
He said it was not logical for the workers to complain that last month’s salaries had delayed yet they collect very little revenue.
The governor (pictured) said some workers even engage in corrupt activities that deny the county revenues yet they expected their salaries paid on time.??
“Where do they think salary will come from if they steal from the county while others do not just collect the revenues as required,” Mr Ranguma asked.???
The defunct Kisumu Municipal Council collected less than Sh1 billion per financial year. Kisumu County Principal Finance Officer Cephas Odhiambo recently said only Sh978 million was collected in the last financial year while the area has a capability of realising up Sh4 billion.?
The workers claim they have not been paid last year’s salary amounting to Sh74 million and another Sh100 million arrears in the Comprehensive Bargain Agreement award.??
Salary deal
Kenya Local Authority Workers Union Kisumu Branch Chairman William Otiende said the arrears emanated from the new CBA passed in September last year.??
“The salary increment was backdated for five months yet the arrears have not been paid,” Mr Otiende said.??
He said the increment will be given in two categories with those in the lower scale of 10-18 receiving a 60 per cent increment.??
“Those in the upper scale of between one and nine will receive a 35 per cent salary increment under the new CBA,” he said.?
Otiende said he was optimistic they will be paid by today since they were told the delay was due to a technical hitch. The workers, who have not received their salaries, are from Kisumu City, Kisumu, Ahero, Nyando and Muhoroni County Councils.
