Health care workers in Kiambu County have downed their tools in protest over delayed two month’s salary and difficult working conditions.
Over 500 medics from the 15 wards of the County staged peaceful demonstrations from Thika Level 5 Hospital to the Sub County offices in Thika to express their dissatisfaction over the handling of the sector by the county government, since August employees have not received payment, and those who have complained are removed from the payroll.
Led by the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) secretary general Hillary Kiberiti criticized dismissals amid non-payment of salaries, citing lack of basic necessities and questioned the logic behind the dismissals.
“The County has failed to pay workers’ salaries for some months and instead of working to solve the issue they are harassing workers by removing them from the payroll without proper communication,” he stated
Meanwhile, he called for the reinstatement of all the workers who were removed from the payroll without communication as it is against the labor laws of this country and of the county
On health cover remittances, the Chairman (KNUM) James Githinji said despite registering with the new social health cover, the county has failed to remit funds to the scheme, leaving them exposed.
“The County has not released our pay for two months and has further not remitted funds to our insurance provider thus leaving us vulnerable. We now have to rely on fundraisers to cover their medical expenses, a situation he deemed unacceptable and demeaning,” Githinji said.
They said repeated attempts to seek dialogue with Governor Kimani Wamatangi had been ignored and threatened to continue their demonstrations till their grievances are addressed.
By Victory Wangui and Muoki Charles
