• It was resolved that county staff will be able to access health services after Sh392 million medical cover was paid to National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
• Operation at City Hall on Wednesday came to a standstill as workers went on strike accusing their employers of failing to meet their demands.
Image: MAUREEN KINYANJUI
Nairobi County staff have resumed their normal daily duties bringing an end to a two-day go slow.
This was after resolutions addressing their grievances were arrived at after a joint meeting held on Thursday between Nairobi County Government, Nairobi County Public Service Board, and the Kenya County Government Workers Union.
Operation at City Hall on Wednesday came to a standstill as workers went on strike accusing their employers of failing to meet their demands.
Their grievances from the perennial delay of salaries, non-provision of medical cover, failure to promote county staff, non-remittance of statutory deductions, and Non-payment of overtime and other allowances
After the meeting, it was resolved that county staff will be able to access health services after Sh392 million medical cover was paid to National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
The union has decried that at least 11,000 county workers have been without medical cover since July, leaving them exposed against section 34 (1) of the Employment Act, 2007 and Clause 20 of the registered CBA 2013.
In a statement by County Secretary Jairus Musumba , the Chief Officer for Finance to ensure NHIF deductions are remitted on a timely basis.
“Sh392 million for county staff medical insurance cover had been paid and the balance of Sh300 million to be paid by October 28, 2021,” reads the statement.
Musumba revealed that the county has also begun to reimburse funds to workers who for the past three months use their own money for health services.
The three parties also agreed that the county's board commence issuing of re-designation and promotion letters.
The re-designation was to be completed on Thursday while the promotion exercise is to be done within seven days.
On delay of payment of salaries, CS Musumba will communicate in writing to the Nairobi Metropolitan Services to finalize their payroll.
“ NMS will be required to their payroll to the Chief Officer for Finance office by 15th of every month,” reads the statement.
On Statutory reductions, Nairobi County Government will pay gross salaries starting from this month.
It was agreed that out of the Sh4 billion to be factored in the supplementary budget, Sh2 billion will be utilized to pay for statutory deductions ( Sh1.2 billion to Laptrust and Sh800 million to Lapfund) thereafter payments to the two pension schemes will be done on a pro-rata basis.
The Chief Officer for Finance will also be making monthly remittances to reduce pending pension schemes debts.
To address the harmonisation of allowances, CS Musumba will convene a meeting between the Executive, NMS, and the union on Tuesday to discuss the issue.
“ Also to be discussed will be other NMS-related grievances ranging from staff promotions, re-designations of officers deployed in NMS, overtime payment, level allowance payment, and historical injustices,' he said.
For the deductions of PAYE on salaries of newly employed constables and firefighters, reimbursement will be done in this month's payroll.
To address non-payment of uniforms, the board has adopted a uniform policy, and staff who retired before the enactment of the policy to be paid as per the previous terms.
In addition, all the sectors at the county government should confirm in writing to the CS whether staff has been provided with PPEs or not.
County Secretary to give a directive to Chief Officer's that recalling officers while on leave/ off days and working overtime must be in writing.
Kenya County Government Workers Union Nairobi Branch Secretary Feastus Ngari told the Star that they will engage in better gears if the county fails to honor the resolutions.
“ As a union, we shall keep the county government on its toes and ensure that they honour their pledges. Failure to which we shall go on total lockout including essential services