The Health workers in Mandera County have threatened to go on strike next month to pressurize the county government to address their grievances.
The nurses, clinical and medical laboratory officers vowed to cripple health services countywide from December 16, 2019 to demand for promotions and enhanced medical cover.
The medics who issued a 21-day strike notice said consultations between the county government and their union have failed, living them with no option other than industrial action.
The Mandera branch Kenya Union of Nurses Secretary, Mohamednur Maalim who led the medics accused the county government of failing to implement the previously signed agreements.
“We went on strike last in 2015 and the county government agreed to act on issues we raised then. We have given dialogue a chance but to no avail,” he said.
He said nurses have not been promoted even after meeting Governor Ali Roba in September 2017.
On the other hand, the branch Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO), Ndereba Kamanja alleged that their current medical cover was bogus.
“We are under AR Medical Cover that is not recommended by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and our members are being turned away whenever they seek medication,” claimed Kamanja.
The County Health Chief Officer, Hassan Mohamed Ahmed said he had received the strike notice and promised to address the issues raised.
“We have received the strike notice from the three unions but we are working on resolving issues raised just like we have done before,” he said, adding they have been promoting health workers since 2013.
By Dickson Githaiga
