Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has faulted the county leadership for failing to pay salaries to more than 3,000 workers, some of whom are yet to receive their July wages.
In a strongly worded statement on Monday, August 18, Omtatah described the delay as a clear sign of poor management and disregard for the county’s most important resource—its workforce.
“Today, 18th August 2025, over 3,000 Busia County workers are yet to receive their July salaries. This is unacceptable and a clear sign of poor management of the county’s most vital resource, its workforce,” the Senator said.
The delayed salaries have affected staff across critical sectors, including health, education, and administration, disrupting service delivery to residents.
Omtatah stressed that prompt salary payment is a fundamental right, not a privilege.
“Timely salary payment is not a privilege; it is a basic right and obligation. The Busia County leadership must urgently address this failure, restore dignity to our workers, and safeguard the delivery of essential services to the people of Busia,” he added.
Fresh Wrangles With Governor Otuoma’s Administration
The latest standoff comes just weeks after Omtatah accused Governor Paul Otuoma’s administration of failing to account for KSh 5.2 billion in the 2022/2023 financial year.
According to Omtatah, an audit report he commissioned revealed “massive fraud and financial mismanagement” within the county government. He dismissed attempts by county officials to downplay the findings.
“The County Government of Busia should not attack me, the messenger; let them confront the message with a detailed and coherent response,” Omtatah said.
However, the county government dismissed his claims, terming them politically motivated and legally baseless.
“Let it be made abundantly clear: A Senator cannot, and does not, have the mandate to singly audit county accounts. Senator Omtatah’s purported audit of Busia County Government accounts lacks both legal grounding and institutional legitimacy,” read part of the county’s response.
Leave a Reply