Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria was taken to court on Friday by county nurses who claim that he made deductions from their salaries without remitting them to the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN).
Along with the county public service board, the governor is also being sued for withholding the salaries of 439 health workers who participated in a 2017 five-month-long national strike.
KNUN has petitioned the Nyeri Labour court to compel the Governor to release the Ksh1.8 Million in deductions owed to the union.
The Union's industrial relations officer Okatch Odongo claims that the deductions were made between December 2016 and February 2018.
[caption caption="File image of Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria"]
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The official further claims that the nurses did not receive their dues and allowances for the period between June and October 2017.
"The county government has unlawfully issued orders to its agents not to pay the entitlements to the nurses without advancing any legitimate reason.
"They have a mandate to pay the salaries and allowances and ensure compliance with the Negotiated Agreement and a directive from Council of Governors dated January 5, 2018," read court papers filed by the Union.
Odongo further faulted the county administration for "unbecoming behaviour" urging the court to take action against it.
The nurses' advocate pleaded with the court to institute orders against the devolved unit claiming unwarranted harassment and intimidation due to the litigation.
Justice Nzioki Wa Makau allowed the petition and gave a hearing date for May 3.
[caption caption="File image of Murang'a nurses during a protest"]
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