Kiambu health workers protest over bullying and non-payment of their salaries

A section of healthcare workers from across the 15 sub-counties of Kiambu County have downed their tools accusing the county government for non-payment of salaries and creating poor working conditions without medical cover.

The medics, who first converged at Thika Level 5 Hospital, marched through the streets to Thika Sub-County offices to present their petition to County Public Service Board.

Dr. Hillary Kibiriti, the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Kiambu County Secretary General, criticised the county administration for dismissing some of their colleagues without notice, demanding their immediate reinstatement.

He stressed that the non-payment of salaries has left many medics unable to report to work due to lack of basic necessities, including bus fare, and questioned the logic behind the dismissals amid these struggles.

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James Githinji, Chairman Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) Central Region, expressed the frustration of having to rely on fundraisers to cover their medical expenses, a situation he deemed unacceptable and demeaning.

His concerns were shared by Dr. Carolyn Mwaura, who revealed that repeated attempts to seek dialogue with county public service board had been ignored, leaving their appeals unheard.

The medics have now called for the county governor to urgently address their issues and convene a meeting to find resolutions. They warned that failure to do so would result in the continuation of the strike, putting further pressure on an already strained healthcare system in the county.

Kiambu County Public Service Board Chair, Allan Mwaura, responded to the health workers' union in a letter, stating that some county employees had recently been misled into participating in an illegal and unprotected industrial action, resulting in disciplinary measures.

Mwaura emphasised that the board was mandated to handle grievances, complaints and disciplinary processes fairly.

He urged union officials to utilise all available administrative procedures and provisions before escalating matters.

On the issue of alleged bullying, Mwaura clarified that every employee is accountable to their designated supervisor, as well as to other officers fulfilling leadership and managerial duties within and across departments.