Tensions flared at Nairobi’s City Hall on Wednesday, August 6, as county workers staged a protest demanding the immediate release of their delayed salaries.
The protest turned chaotic when the workers blocked entrances and exits at the premises, preventing senior county officials from driving in or out.
Led by union officials Festus Ngare and Calvin Okello of the Kenya County Government Workers Union, the workers expressed their growing frustration with what they described as repeated delays in salary payments.
According to them, many employees are now struggling to meet basic needs as bills pile up and financial commitments remain unmet.
A widely circulated video from the protest captured the intense scene with dozens of workers surrounding official vehicles, refusing to let them move.
The workers could be heard chanting and demanding answers, a sign of the desperation and fatigue that has built up over time.
Wednesday’s protest is the latest in a series of similar demonstrations by city staff who accuse the Nairobi County Government of ignoring collective bargaining agreements and failing to follow through on promised payment schedules.
Despite the growing pressure, county officials have not issued a clear statement on when the unpaid salaries will be settled.
This isn’t the first time county workers have taken to the streets. Back in September last year, a similar protest broke out over stalled salary increases.
The strike was eventually suspended after county authorities agreed to look into key concerns, including unpaid allowances, overtime, per diem, and medical refunds.
Workers were also promised that matters relating to staff promotions and re-designations were being addressed, with the County Public Service Board reportedly drawing up a timeline for the changes.
But with no meaningful progress since then, frustrations have boiled over once again and this time, workers say they’re not backing down until their dues are paid.