Lang’ata cemetery workers downed their tools on Wednesday citing delay in payment of their salaries.

In an unexpected turn of events, the workers locked mourners out of the grave cite instructing them to go back with their loved ones bodies.

This they said will go on until the Nairobi county government clears their three months payment arrears.

No burial will take place!

“We want to warn Governor Sakaja that no burial will take place at the ground until when we shall have received our payment in full,” they maintained.

Further, he added that the county government has gotten in the habit of promising payment the following day in vain.

“They have been telling us that we would be paid the following day, yet it is all but a lie.”

“We must be paid now, and we are not taking any more promises,” he added.

ALSO READ: Sakaja, Babu Owino trade barbs: “You’re addicted to bhang… stop stuffing white stuff up your nose!”

These protests left mourners stranded with their loved ones’ bodies along Lang’ata Road.

“The Nairobi City County government needs to resolve the issue with the Langata cemetry workers as soon as possible so that families can bury their loved ones with dignity,” said anther worker.

“Continued delay has caused a lot of emotional distress for the families who are already grieving the loss of their loved ones.”

More grievances

The workers also demanded an improvement in their working conditions.

According to them, the county government has not equipped them with the proper tools for their job. They also termed their working environment as “unhealthy”.

Lang’ata cemetery was established in 1958.

Sakaja and Babu exchange over county leadership

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Embakasai East MP Babu Owino on Saturday, September 16 night engaged in a nasty war of words over the county leadership.

Babu Owino launched a tirade against the policies of Governor Sakaja’s administration, not mincing his words in accusing him of overseeing wanton corruption at City Hall.

But in a rejoinder, Sakaja went all out in trying to clear his name, albeit online.

“If you removed the white stuff you are stuffing up your nose, you’d realize there’s a difference between bursaries and Ward based Development funds,” Sakaja answered Babu.

“Bursaries are 7m per ward (85 wards). (2.5 term 1, 2.5 term 2 and 2m term 3). Up from 4.5m. Every ward is getting WDF of 23 Million for Development not bursaries. Up from 17m.”