Sakaja Explains Nairobi County Staff Salary Delays as New Financial Year Begins

Sakaja Explains Nairobi County Staff Salary Delays as New Financial Year Begins

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has attributed the delay in payment of July 2026 salaries for county employees to the transition into the new financial year, assuring workers that the issue is being addressed.

Sakaja said on Wednesday, August 12, that Nairobi County normally pays its employees on time, with salaries typically processed toward the end of every month.

However, he explained that the start of the 2026/2027 financial year created delays because the new county budget had not yet been uploaded and approved through the required government procedures.

The governor said the budget must pass through the Controller of Budget (CoB) and the National Treasury before county funds can be released for expenditure.

“During the financial year, salaries are paid on time by the end of the month from the 27th. There was just a delay because it is a new financial year. When the budget is late, it must be uploaded for the Controller of Budget and that is why we published a notice to inform workers of the delay.”

Sakaja said the county administration had already begun working to complete the outstanding processes and facilitate payment of the affected employees.

“We are sorting out that problem. I am dealing with it myself because it is the right of the workers.”

Nairobi Staff Informed of Salary Delay

Nairobi County informed employees on Monday, August 10, that processing of their July salaries had been affected by delays in approving and uploading the county budget.

The notice raised concerns among county workers, particularly those relying on their monthly salaries to meet household expenses, loan repayments, rent and other financial obligations.

The county administration apologised for the delay and acknowledged the potential impact on workers and their families.

Sakaja, however, maintained that funds were available to pay county employees and described the situation as temporary.

The governor also revealed that he had not received his salary, saying the delay was affecting county officials and employees alike.

Governor Says Delay Is Temporary

Sakaja sought to distinguish the current situation from previous periods when Nairobi County workers frequently experienced delays in receiving their salaries.

According to the governor, his administration had introduced arrangements that enabled employees to receive their salaries earlier in recent months.

He said the current delay was linked specifically to the financial year transition and the administrative procedures required before the county could access and spend funds under the new budget.

County employees were asked to remain patient as officials worked to complete the necessary processes.

The administration also urged workers to continue performing their duties as efforts continued to resolve the salary issue.

No Specific Payment Date Given

Despite the assurances, Sakaja did not provide a specific date when the delayed July salaries would reach employees’ accounts.

He said payment would be made once the county budget was uploaded and the required approval and disbursement procedures were completed.

The delay comes as Nairobi County continues efforts to manage its wage bill and public expenditure.

The county administration has also been reviewing recruitment, internships and casual employment as part of measures aimed at controlling personnel costs.

For affected workers, the immediate concern remains when the July salaries will be paid.

Sakaja’s explanation has provided some clarity on the cause of the delay, but employees will have to wait for the completion of the budget approval process before the payments are released.

The governor’s assurance that the matter is being handled personally is expected to ease some concerns among county staff, although the absence of a definite payment date leaves uncertainty over when workers will receive their outstanding salaries.

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Sakaja Explains Nairobi County Staff Salary Delays as New Financial Year Begins