Workers at the the Kitui County Council yesterday called off their six-days work boycott before their key demands not met. Led by the Kenya Local Government Workers' Union branch officials Joseph Mulei and Christine Kasiva, the workers had boycotted their duties last Monday to demand the removal of the council's treasurer Alfred Kitoo.

The workers were also demanding for the reinstatement of town clerk Micheal Kimwele, who has been transfered to the Meru Municipal Council. Kitoo, whose office the workers had closed, had already reported to work when the protesting employees called off the boycott.

Through Kasiva, the union's branch secretary, said the council has not be remmiting their monthly loan deductions to the banks, even though their salaries had been deducted. Kasiva said the banks have threatened to auction some of the workers' property.

She said the council owes them thousands of shillings in salary arrears. The workers accused the council of not giving them uniforms. Kasiva had blamed Kitoo for their woes and vowed and vowed not to return to work until he is removed.

Yesterday, Kasiva said they agreed to return to work after a meeting with the Eastern regional local government officer Nelson Rob, council chairman John Mang'uye and new town clerk Samuel Owade. Kasiva said the meeting resolved that Kitoo would be dismissed later and that their salary arrears will be cleared immediately.

She said the workers had signed a return to work formula in which none of them will be victimised for taking part in the boycott. Owade had earlier told journalists that he was ready to deal with the workers grievance conclusively even if it meant firing Kitoo.