By Betty Luke
Dozens of Isiolo casual workers who have gone for several months without pay could soon breathe a sigh of relief if a directive by newly sworn in Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo to County Treasury to clear unpaid dues and salaries is implemented.
The casuals from over 10 county departments have unpaid dues spanning between five months and one year and have since the beginning of the year been protesting the delays to no avail.
They had boycotted work for two weeks in early May but resumed duties after the county government promised to pay them only to later ignore the promise.
In the last few months, the irate workers have had to block the County Treasury and Secretary offices’ gates to show their disappointment with the devolved unit but still, their plight was not considered.
The delayed payment of their dues has exposed them to inexplicable suffering with majority of them locked out of their houses, struggling to fend for their families and living at the mercies of their neighbours, the workers have severally lamented.
Others have parted ways with their spouses for being unable to provide for the families.
During a past interview with journalists from various media houses, they expressed fears that their salaries might not be paid when the new Governor takes office after the just concluded August 9 polls.
But the announcement by Governor Guyo who a day after he was sworn in met the cabinet and was furnished with sectoral status reports could finally end their woes with former Governor Mohammed Kuti’s adminstration.
After the Friday meeting, Mr Guyo said he had authorized the County Treasury to immediately process all accrued and unpaid salaries for all the county employees including the casual workers saying he was cognizant that delayed payment of salaries contributed to workers low morale.
“The county treasury should immediately process all the accrued dues and unpaid salaries,” he said even though he did not specify if the directive also applies for Sh1.2 billion pending bills that he inherited from Dr Kuti.
Hours after he warned county employees against laziness and failure to report to work during his swearing in ceremony, Mr Guyo was hours later, during an impromptu visit at Isiolo Referral Hospital, saddened to find only one doctor on duty and the pharmacy closed.
Several health workers assigned various departments including casualty were not at work.
True to his words, the County Health Executive and the Referral hospital medical superintendent have already been ordered to compile a list of workers who absconded duties Thursday night for immediate disciplinary action.
“My adminstration will not condone laxity especially across the health facilities in the county,” he shared online. During the inauguration, Mr Guyo said it will not be business as usual for lazy employees saying they should be ready to diligently serve the electorates.
Whether or not the pay directive will be implemented to the latter, only time will tell.
