Workers at the Nairobi Water company have called off their five-day strike after Governor Mike Sonko suspended the firm's board of directors.
Employees downed their tools last Thursday to protest the board's decision to fire MD Philip Gichuki and three other directors.
But after a visit to the company's head office in Industrial Area on Tuesday, Sonko promised to address their concerns.
"I have suspended the board because the workers have complained of harassment. We want to listen to both sides and do the audit of operations until we come up with the way forward," he said.
"We have talked with the workers as they have agreed to resume work even as we continue addressing their concerns," he added.
The board, chaired by Raphael Nzomo, sent Gichuki on terminal leave saying he had served his full term as permitted by law.
It went on to appoint technical director Nahashon Muguna as the acting MD.
“I wish to inform you that the board, after deliberation, declined to grant your request as you have already served the full tenure permitted in law. You are, therefore, to formally separate with the company up on expiry of your contract on January 18, 2018,” reads the letter.
“In the meantime, and to facilitate a smooth transition, you are hereby asked to proceed to terminal leave,” it continues.
The board also declined to renew the contracts of Johnson Randu (Finance), Stephen Mbugua (Commercial) and Rosemary Kijana (Human Resource).
The Governor said that the workers also complained of the board's secret plan to sell the state corporation, but assure them the firm will not be sold.
“As the governor, I have not received any communication or briefed on any plan to sell this company. But I have heard it from the workers and I want to assure them that this company will not be sold,” he said.
Sonko his administration is putting proper measures, which includes partnering with the national government to have a permanent solution to water shortage in the capital.
“There is already a 24km water pipe that is being laid from Kiambu to Embakasi where there is a reservoir that with a capacity of 14 million litres. It will serve Embakasi Garisson, Airport and other parts of Eastlands,” he said.
Read: