Machakos County Government employees have threatened to storm the County Assembly on Monday, August 3 to demand the immediate passage of the 2026/2027 budget, warning that delays are crippling service delivery and jeopardizing workers’ salaries.

The workers, under the Machakos County Government Workers Caucus, accused Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) of holding the county “hostage” by failing to debate and pass the Appropriation Bill.

Speaking outside Machakos Level Five Referral Hospital, Caucus Chairman Heshron Mwakavi said the prolonged political impasse has created uncertainty for more than 1.3 million residents and over 7,000 county staff.

“This prolonged political impasse has plunged the county into uncertainty and subjected more than 1.3 million residents and over 7,000 county employees to unnecessary hardship,” Mwakavi said in a statement.

The workers said the stalemate was already affecting health services, with essential medical supplies unable to be procured. They added that statutory deductions for both executive and assembly staff were also being delayed.

“The greatest victims of this stalemate are not the political leaders or the executive, but the ordinary mwananchi of Machakos County,” the statement read.

Citing Article 41 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 on fair labour practices, the caucus argued that the delay undermines workers’ rights.

“We strongly reject any attempts to use the people of Machakos as bargaining chips in political contests,” the group said. “Authority was delegated to elected leaders to serve the public interest, not to paralyse county governance.”

Machakos County Government Workers Union Chairperson Ms. Ruth John, who also sits on the National Governing Council for the Eastern Region, echoed the warning.

“We respect you but we do not fear you,” she told MCAs, referencing a similar stand by Nyandarua Senator Methu.

“We are putting you on notice. We are coming to the assembly on Monday to demand passage of the County Budget. Prepare enough food because we shall be your guests,” Ms. John declared.

The County Assembly is yet to pass the 2026/2027 budget and appropriation bill. The constitutional deadline for passage was June 30th, 2026.