Civil servants have called for major changes to the way county governments manage workers’ salaries after repeated delays in payment.
The Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS) has demanded the creation of a permanent payroll management system that can ensure workers receive their salaries on time.
The union made the call on Monday, August 24, 2026, amid continued salary delays affecting employees in several counties, including Nairobi.
UKCS Organising Secretary Asingo Wilson said it was unacceptable for workers to keep waiting for their salaries because of budget disagreements, political disputes or administrative problems.
The union said workers have important financial responsibilities that cannot be postponed. They need their salaries to pay rent, school fees, food and other family expenses.
According to the union, simply giving counties access to bank loans would not solve the problem. While a bank facility could help a county deal with a temporary shortage of money, it would not address weaknesses in the payroll system.
UKCS has therefore proposed a comprehensive County Payroll Management Framework.
The proposed system would include a protected monthly wage bill and a payroll reserve specifically set aside for workers’ salaries. This would help ensure that money meant for salaries is not diverted to other expenses.
The union has also called for better connection between Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) and the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS).
Another proposal is the introduction of a fixed and predictable salary payment calendar so that workers know when to expect their monthly pay.
UKCS also wants an early-warning system that can identify possible cash-flow problems before they affect employees.
The union said workers should receive priority whenever county governments are deciding how available funds will be spent.
The latest demands come after several counties experienced salary delays. Nairobi has been among the affected counties, while Turkana, Baringo and Siaya have also reported delays.
The situation has increased pressure on county governments to find lasting solutions to payroll problems.
For workers, the main concern is not only receiving delayed salaries but ensuring that similar problems do not happen again.
The proposed payroll reforms are therefore aimed at creating a system where workers’ salaries are protected and paid on a predictable schedule.
UKCS is now calling on county governments and other relevant authorities to act quickly and ensure that employees are no longer forced to wait for money they have already earned.