Councillors storm CAO's office over unpaid wages

The councillors who stormed the CAO's office on Monday. Photo by Robert Ariaka

Councillors from eight sub-counties in Maracha district on Monday stormed the office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and that of the LC5 chairman demanding to know why they have not been paid their wages.

The councillors say the ex-gratia wages for the financial year 2018/2019 have not paid.

The money amounting to sh29.8m is expected to be paid to 130 councillors at the end of every financial year with each councillor getting sh240,000. Each councillor is meant to get sh20,000 monthly and the amount is paid at the end of the year.

According to a circular from the finance ministry, the fourth quarter releases for paying salaries, pensions and ex-gratia were released in April.

Agnes Tiko, the Olufe sub-county vice-chairperson, said they wanted to know why the money was not paid.

"We have been told the money was not released even when we got documents from the finance ministry indicating otherwise," Tiko said.

According to Tiko, the district could have misappropriated the money.

Joseph Lomogin, the Maracha CAO, told the councillors that the district only received sh6.8m, out of the sh28m, leaving them with a sh23m deficit.

He asked them for more time to get an update from the ministry about the releases, but the councillors shouted him down.

Rose Ayaka Atima, the Maracha Woman MP, presented to the councillors a document from the finance ministry indicating the fourth quarter releases for all local governments and wondered why the money for Maracha was not available.

She promised to make a follow-up with the finance ministry regarding the funds.