Makueni County Government is ready to increase risk allowances for clinical officers from Sh3, 000 to Sh15,000, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has said.
However, Mutula said his government will only increase the risk allowance once the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) signs the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the devolved government.
“We had started looking into issues affecting clinical officers, doctors and consultants at all levels and we found out things were not good. We have changed the staff establishment. One of the things you are asking here, I asked why is it a problem, the Sh15, 000 allowance,” posed Mutula while addressing clinical officers outside his Wote office.
“I don’t see the real problem if the amount is Sh900 million, which is a drop in the ocean considering the monies we spend on touring this country and the world. Sign up and I will pay,” noted the Governor.
He also assured the clinical officers and nurses that his government has created new positions for County Director Clinical Officer and County Director Nurse at job group “R”.
At the same time, he said the government is currently promoting 510 health workers across all cadres.
During the event, he received a Memorandum from the clinical officers which he will present to the Council of Governors (CoG) so that they can address the issues once and for all.
“As the chairman of Legal Affairs & Human Rights in the CoG, I will take your memorandum and present it as it is to the council, chair of CoG and Muthomi Njuki, the Chair Health Committee,” said Mutula.
On his part, Chair KUCO Person Wachira urged the government to address health risk allowances, universal health coverage –for clinical officers employed on contract and those working as interns in health facilities across the country.
“We want risk allowance enhanced because we work in unconducive environment where we spend time with patients. Also we want the government to address the clinical officers working on contracts as it is discriminatory. The issue of internship should be addressed too,” said Wachira.
Earlier the clinical officers demonstrated along Wote Town streets to the governor’s office and county assembly offices and handed over the memorandum.
By Patrick Nyakundi and Mitchell Mwendwa
