Workers of the two local authorities in Trans Nzoia County yesterday boycotted work over their pay rise. The workers accused the Local Government ministry of delaying their pays.

The more than 1000 workers of Kitale Municipal Council and Nzoia County Council demonstrated on the streets of Kitale town. They said minister Paul Otuoma had refused to sign the collective bargaining agreement.

The workers said the agreement was drawn up in September last year. Led by Local Authority Workers Union secretary Eliud Nabiimba, the workers threatened to go on with the strike if the minister does not address their grievances.

"All local government ministers have been cooperative, why is Paul Otuoma is being difficult?" asked Nabiimba. "We want Otuoma to spend more time addressing our grievances and less time on TV," said Nabiimba.

He said Otuoma does not respect work- ers. Nabiimba was addressing the workers at the Kitale Municipal Council and Nzoia County Council offices. The workers were to recieve a 60 per cent increase.