EMBU POSTAL SERVICES PARALYSED AS WORKERS STRIKE OVER FIVE-MONTH SALARY ARREARS
Operations at the Embu Post Office were brought to a complete standstill today as workers downed their tools in protest over five months of unpaid salaries. The strike, led by frustrated and financially strained employees, has disrupted essential postal services across the region, with staff vowing not to resume work until all pending payments are released in full. Chanting slogans and holding placards highlighting their plight, the workers accused the government of neglect and failing to uphold its duty to public servants.
Speaking during the demonstration outside the Embu Post Office, Branch Communication Workers Union chairman Joseph Rwanjau condemned the prolonged salary delays, noting that the last payment was issued in April. He described the situation as dire, saying many employees were struggling to afford basic necessities and sustain their families. Rwanjau urged the government to urgently release stalled Huduma funds to facilitate payment processing, arguing that the financial hardship had reached breaking point. Other workers voiced similar frustrations, insisting they would not be intimidated into returning to work without compensation for their labour.
Several employees painted a grim picture of their daily struggles, revealing how months without pay have left them indebted and emotionally drained. Worker Aaron Kamau vowed the protest would continue until justice is served, criticizing authorities for providing no clear communication on when salaries would be settled. Another staff member, Nyawira Mutugi, described the hardship as inhuman, saying many had been forced to borrow money for food, rent, and school fees, while even local shopkeepers had grown reluctant to extend credit. The workers appealed to the government for compassion and swift action, warning that the strike will persist until their grievances are fully addressed.
The standoff has raised concerns among Embu residents and postal service users, who fear prolonged disruptions if no urgent intervention is made. As the strike enters its next phase, attention now shifts to government officials expected to respond to the workers’ demands amid growing pressure for accountability in public-sector wage management.