Kenya County Government Workers ’s Union Trans Nzoia branch is seeking Sh56 million compensation from the county government for wrongful dismissal from service which led to suffering and  loss of livelihoods.

The union has gone back to court seeking settlement of the Sh56 million awarded to the 114 workers arbitrarily dismissed  by the defunct Kitale Municipal Council in 2000 for taking part in a strike demanding for salaries     

Union Chairman Samuel Juma Kiboi said the workers, some of whom have retired and others dead are undergoing great suffering following refusal by the county government to honour the court ruling.

He said the Sh56 million awarded by Justice Stewart Madzayo in 2005 was justified and should be paid since the county government had lost two appeals challenging settlement of the award.

“It is against the rule of natural justice for the county government to choose not to settle what was rightly awarded to the workers whose lives are deplorable. The county government is able to sustain this since money sent by the treasury is sufficient to cater for all liabilities including the 114 workers,” Kiboi said in Kitale.

The union chairman noted that the amount is a tiny sum compared to the close to Sh7 billion that the county government is to receive from the exchanger this year.