Workers face lay off as council cuts cost

By Renson Buluma

Over 50 workers at Busia Municipal Council are set to lose their jobs following changes aimed at improving service delivery.

The council’s treasurer Slyvace Obondo said the move will allow the overstaffed council to cut the wage bill from Sh6 million to around Sh3.5 million.

Obondo said the council had been unable to provide quality services to residents because all of its revenue goes to salary payment.

"The council is only able to collect between Sh3.5 million to Sh4 million in a month. This is way below the Sh6 million we spend on salaries," said Obondo.

He added that the council has on various occasions been forced to use devolved funds like the Local Authority Transfer Fund to clear outstanding workers’ salaries.

This, he said, was being done at the expense of development projects meant to benefit residents.

Direction sought

He however added that the lay off would only take place when the Ministry of Local Government gives direction. A letter has already been written to the ministry.

"These are employees who diligently performed their duties and we cannot send them home without ensuring all their benefits are met," said Obondo.

He called on traders in the town to take advantage of an ultra-modern market under construction to venture into businesses that will help them eradicate poverty. The market is funded by the Government.