Nairobi City County employees are confronting significant salary delays for the month of March 2025. The county administration attributes this setback to delays in the release of funds from the National Treasury, which has disrupted the timely payment of salaries. A circular obtained by Kenyans.co.ke indicates that the county’s operations heavily rely on the equitable share disbursements from the National Treasury, which, when delayed, affect the county’s ability to meet its financial obligations, including employee salaries.

This delay has led to protests and unrest among county workers. On March 5, 2025, employees under the Dishi na County program, a school feeding initiative, staged a demonstration outside City Hall, demanding the release of their withheld salaries. The workers, who serve over 310,000 pupils, expressed frustration over receiving reduced pay and the lack of communication regarding the delays. One worker noted that midterm breaks had never previously affected their wages, highlighting the unexpected nature of the current issue.

The financial strain is not isolated to the Dishi na County program. A broader pattern of delayed salaries has emerged across various departments within Nairobi City County. Workers have reported challenges in meeting basic financial obligations due to the delayed payments, leading to increased tensions and demands for immediate action from the county administration.