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Nairobi County is grappling with a severe financial crisis, leaving thousands of workers without salaries for months, a situation highlighted by a recent Ksh500,000 bull purchase by Governor Johnson Sakaja at the ASK Show.
Nairobi, Kenya – Nairobi County is facing a deepening financial crisis as approximately 14,000 city workers remain unpaid for up to three months, according to Irungu Nyakera, patron of the Democracy for Citizens' Party (DCP) in Nairobi. This comes as Governor Johnson Sakaja reportedly spent Ksh500,000 on a bull at the recent Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Show.
Nyakera, who previously served as chairman of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) board, on Thursday, October 2, 2025, criticised the Governor's expenditure amidst the plight of county employees.
The issue of delayed salaries for Nairobi County workers has been a recurring problem. The Kenya County Government Workers Union (KCGWU) stated in September 2025 that workers' July and August salaries had not been disbursed, leading to a directive for staff to slow down duties or stay home until payments were made. The union also noted that third-party remittances were affected despite a return-to-work agreement signed in August 2025.
County Secretary and Head of Public Service Godfrey Akumali had previously attributed the August 2025 salary delays to the late release of equitable share funds from the National Treasury. However, the Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakango, reportedly approved the release of funds for July and August third-party contributions, raising questions about the diversion of these funds.
Governor Sakaja's purchase of a bull for Ksh500,000 at the ASK Show on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, has drawn criticism. Reports indicate that Sakaja outbid President William Ruto for a 655-kilogram Borana bull from Kenya Seed Company. President Ruto himself purchased a 720-kilogram Borana bull for Ksh700,000 at the same event.
Irungu Nyakera highlighted the severe impact of the unpaid salaries on workers, stating that some have been forced to sleep on the streets or resort to begging. He also claimed that some revenue collectors are retaining funds to meet basic needs due to the delays. Nyakera urged citizens to carefully consider leadership choices, questioning the priorities of the county administration.
The ongoing salary delays have also led to protests by health workers in Nairobi. On Thursday, October 2, 2025, health workers demonstrated outside City Hall Annex offices, demanding their three months of unpaid salaries. They accused Governor Sakaja of not honouring previous agreements and ignoring their demands. The Kenya National Union of Nurses, Nairobi branch, Deputy Secretary George Ndekeo, stated that nurses and laboratory technicians are on strike and cannot access treatment due to arrears owed to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The prolonged salary delays pose significant risks to the delivery of essential public services in Nairobi, particularly in the health sector, where workers are already on strike. The situation also raises serious questions about fiscal responsibility and governance within the county administration. The alleged diversion of funds and the presence of fake pending bills further erode public trust and accountability.
The exact reasons for the continued salary delays, despite the Controller of Budget's reported approval of funds for third-party remittances, remain unclear. The specific measures the Nairobi County Government is taking to address the outstanding salary arrears and the alleged fraudulent pending bills have not been fully disclosed.
The public will be keenly watching for responses from the Nairobi County Government regarding the payment of outstanding salaries and the allegations of fraudulent pending bills. The ongoing health workers' strike could escalate, further impacting healthcare services in the city. Political implications for Governor Sakaja and the wider county leadership are also anticipated, especially as Irungu Nyakera has expressed interest in the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in 2027.
The issue of delayed county salaries is not unique to Nairobi, with other counties also experiencing similar challenges attributed to delayed disbursements from the National Treasury.
