Union of Kenya civil servants Kirinyaga county branch has urged Governor Anne Waiguru to recall health workers whose services were terminated following a strike.
Patrick Ndungu, the branch secretary said the over 300 health workers have continued to suffer as the petition pends in the High Court for determination.
“We are appealing to her Excellency the Governor as a mother to consider the plight of the workers and have them reinstated back to their positions,” Ndungu said.
He said it is not logical for the county government to recruit new staff when the 300 are still outside yet they have more work experience.
The union also raised concern over undue delays in salaries with the county employees now going for the second month without pay.
“The delay is impacting negatively on the workers especially at this trying moment of the COVID -19 pandemic,” Ndungu said.
The official said employees with loans in various financial institutions are suffering after failing to meet their obligations and leading to mental torture.
He said the NHIF dues delays have resulted to the members and their families being denied treatment services by health institutions.
“Landlords have been a terror to our employees, they don’t understand how a government employee can fail to receive their salaries every end of the month,” Ndungu told the media.
The other thing of concern, the officials said, is that the workers have been denied promotion for over four years running.
“The last time deserving promotions were granted in Kirinyaga County was way back in 2016 which has turned out to be disheartening to the workers,” he said.
Ndungu said many of the health facilities in Kirinyaga are yet to receive protective clothing and are living in fear of contracting coronavirus.
“In the slaughter houses which are operating as normal, the equipment should be provided considering that those places are congested by cleaners, butchers, loaders and the meat inspectors,” he said
“Now that there is a dire need to have additional staff in the Ministry of Health to combat the coronavirus, we are asking our governor to reconsider her decision to sack the workers and withdraw the case in court,” the officials said.
Ndungu said the governor should be reminded that she sent home some of the most experienced workers with enviable track record of competency, devotion and who had saved many lives.
, “We need them now more than ever to save the lives of Kirinyaga people who may in the long run turn positive to this deadly virus,|” Ndungu said.
The officials were speaking at a Kerugoya hotel at a press conference.
By Dorris Wanyagia
Governor urged to reinstate sacked health workers
