Police on Friday, July 2 fired tear gas at a group meeting led by Isiolo Woman Representative Rehema Jaldesa outside Isiolo Referral Hospital.
According to Nation, the Woman Rep met Isiolo County workers who were demanding their six-month unpaid arrears.
The county workers went on strike on June 30, 2021, accusing the Isiolo government of failing to pay them their salary for the last six months.
They called out Governor Abdi Kuti for ignoring their cries and vowed not to return to work unless their dues are paid.
Police dispersed the workers who met the Women Rep amid a ban on all public gatherings by President Uhuru Kenyatta over the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2020 Jaldesa held a public rally in Isiolo despite the government's ban on such gatherings due to the high number of Covid-19 cases that were being reported.
Isiolo is among the counties facing a shortage in funds after the National Treasury delayed releasing the monies.
Council of Governors chairman Martin Wambora stated that the devolved units faced a shut down if the funds aren't released by June 24.
“Today is June 14, ten days remaining to the closure of this financial year. In this regard, the National Treasury should release the funds by June 18 to offer counties the remaining eight working days to satisfy the stringent requirements by the Controller of Budget in accessing and spending the funds," Wambora stated.
The Embu governor further noted that the CoG was concerned by the violation of the constitution by the Treasury regarding disbursement of funds to counties.
"The Treasury has not only failed to comply with the Constitution but also with its own document- cash disbursement schedule, 2020," Wambora maintained.
"This has seen counties stigmatized for failing to offer critical services especially now in the time of Covid-19 pandemic, for what is beyond them," he added.
