Service delivery across several county governments could grind to a halt after the County Government Workers Union of Kenya (CGWUK) issued a seven-day strike notice, warning of an imminent shutdown of devolved services if their grievances are not addressed.
The union announced on Wednesday that county workers may down their tools if the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the Council of Governors (CoG) fail to resolve what it terms as persistent discrimination against county employees in the latest salary review process.
Why County Workers Are Threatening to Strike
At the centre of the dispute is the implementation of Phase Four of the Third Remuneration and Benefits Review Cycle, which CGWUK says has unfairly favoured national government employees while sidelining county government workers.
According to the union, civil servants under the national government recently received salary increases and revised allowances that were backdated to July 1, 2025, following SRC approval. However, county workers—who fall under devolved units—were excluded from these adjustments despite earlier agreements.
CGWUK Secretary General Ruba Duba accused both the SRC and the CoG of failing to honour agreed timelines and commitments.
“The implementation was to be effective from July 1, 2025. The Council of Governors has displayed clear negligence, as outlined in the SRC circular issued on December 19, 2025,” Duba said.
He warned that failure to act would inevitably lead to confrontation between county employers and workers.
Accusations of Discrimination by SRC and CoG
The union has been particularly critical of the SRC, accusing it of prioritising national government staff while neglecting county employees during salary reviews.
CGWUK argues that although the SRC approved new salaries and allowances for national government civil servants, it failed to extend similar considerations to county workers—despite both groups being public servants.
This perceived imbalance, the union says, undermines the spirit of devolution and demoralises county employees who play a critical role in delivering essential services such as healthcare, agriculture, early childhood education, water, and sanitation.
What the National Government Salary Review Includes
The standoff comes at a time when national government civil servants began 2026 with a pay rise, following SRC approval of Phase I of the 2025–2029 remuneration review cycle.
During its meeting on December 19, 2025, the SRC approved adjustments to:
- Basic salaries
- Leave allowances
- Consolidated allowances under a new Salary Market Adjustment (SMA)
The revised structure applies to civil servants across grades CSG1 to CSG17, as well as other designated job groups.
Introduction of the Salary Market Adjustment (SMA)
One of the key changes under the new salary framework is the introduction of the Salary Market Adjustment (SMA), which consolidates several allowances into a single payment.
Under the SMA, the following allowances were merged:
- Entertainment allowance
- Domestic servant allowance
- Extraneous allowance
The SRC says this move is aimed at simplifying pay structures and enhancing transparency in public sector remuneration.
New House Allowance Clusters Explained
The new salary framework also revised house allowances, grouping them into three clusters based on location and cost of living:
- Cluster 1: Nairobi
- Cluster 2: Major cities and key municipalities
- Cluster 3: All other towns and rural areas
Civil servants stationed in Nairobi benefit the most due to the high cost of living, while those in smaller towns and rural areas receive lower rates.
Examples of New Salary Scales
Under the revised structure:
- Senior officers (CSG4) will earn a basic salary ranging between Ksh185,690 and Ksh396,130, with house allowances of up to Ksh140,600 for those based in Nairobi.
- Lower-grade workers (CSG15) will earn between Ksh21,120 and Ksh26,250, with house allowances of up to Ksh4,500.
These adjustments have intensified frustrations among county workers, who argue that similar revisions should apply across all levels of government employment.
Potential Impact of a County Workers’ Strike
If the strike proceeds, Kenyans could experience widespread disruption in essential county services, including:
- Public hospitals and health centres
- County transport and infrastructure projects
- Agricultural extension services
- Revenue collection
- Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) programmes
With counties forming the backbone of devolved service delivery, even a short work stoppage could have significant economic and social consequences.
What Happens Next?
CGWUK has given the SRC and CoG seven days to resolve the stalemate. The union insists that meaningful engagement and immediate implementation of the agreed salary adjustments are the only ways to avert industrial action.
As the deadline approaches, pressure is mounting on county leadership and the SRC to prevent a nationwide disruption that could deepen tensions between county governments and their workforce.