Doctors union differ with Baringo Governor over “ghost doctors” claim

Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has told off Baringo Governor, Stanley Kiptis over reports that his administration was paying six ghost doctors a total of Sh1.8m.
The union has asked the Governor to apologize and withdraw his claims that he pays the absent doctors Sh. 300,000 each claiming the statement was malicious.
North Rift Region KMPDU Branch secretary, Dr. Ismael Aiyabei who led the doctors at a press briefing said the allegations were in bad faith and aimed at inciting Kenyans against doctors.
Baringo County has reneged on implementing the medics Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) hence demotivating the workforce, said the Doctors.
During the briefing on Thursday at St. Lukes Orthopaedic and Trauma Hospital in Eldoret Town, Dr. Aiyabei accused Governor Kiptis for not coming out clear on the whole issue.
“The Governor is being economical with the truth since on September 2, 2018 we raised the issue of massive exodus of doctors from Baringo despite a biting shortage, with a subsequent crisis.
“We raised concerns over massive exodus of Doctors from Baringo County during an implementation meeting which was held on September 5, 2018 at the governor’s boardroom, which led to the county advertising in local dailies for the recruitment of six Doctors in September 12, 2018,” said Dr. Aiyabei.
The union now wants the Governor to expedite the doctors’ CBA implementation instead of being economical with the truth.
Last Wednesday, Governor Kiptis lamented that an audit conducted by his administration unearthed ghost workers with the Health department being the most affected.
Adding that out of 80 doctors in the county payroll, only 24 were found to be genuine with the remainder having either resigned or retired.
According to the county chief, in Kabarnet County Referral Hospital, six doctors are not working yet they are still earning salaries costing the taxpayer Sh2 million per month.
KMPDU maintains that a doctor serving in Baringo County is paid Sh100, 000 and not Sh300, 000 as claimed by the Governor.
The medics union reiterated its call for the formation of a Health Service Commission similar to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), saying the county governments lack the capacity to manage the health human resources.
“We implore upon President Uhuru Kenyatta and the legislature to grant Kenyans a Health services commission if the country is to realize the universal health coverage,” said Dr Aiyabei.
By Kiptanui Cherono