Doctors in Elgeyo Marakwet have vowed to go on strike starting Monday next week if the county government does not promote them.
Led by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Union (KMPDU) liaison officer Dr Kipsang Chebasa, the doctors said they have already issued a notice to the county government which expires on Monday.
The doctors said the last time they were promoted was 2015 and despite most of them going back to school and becoming consultants, they were still in job group ‘M’ being paid as interns.
Chebasa said they had negotiated and agreed with the county government that the county would promote staff in the health department in two phases.
He said the first phase which was to cost Sh18 million to cover junior staff in job group ‘J’ and below was to be implemented in September while the second phase costing Sh21 million which was to cover the medical officers was to be effected this month.
“We are however shocked to be called for another meeting by the County Public Service Board (CPSB) who are saying they have no money yet the finance department had assured us that funds were available,” he said.
He added that in the past meetings they had even given a list of the doctors to be promoted based on their experience and qualifications but were surprised that the CPSB had removed the names of the consultants.
“This is quite unfair given that these doctors sacrificed leaving their families with only basics to finance their education,” he said.
Contacted, the governor Alex Tolgos said he had called for a meeting with the doctors and called on them to have an open mind as they engage saying the county does not have funds to promote them.
He said other officers from other departments were also due for promotion but the county was constrained by lack of funds.
By Alice Wanjiru
