Union officials want sacked Kirinyaga health workers reinstated

Murang’a, Wednesday, April 19, 2023

K.N.A By Bernard Munyao

Officials of two health workers’ unions have requested Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru to reinstate health practitioners whom she sacked during her first term after they participated in a strike.

The officials of Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) and those of Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) have accused the governor for ignoring court orders which directed the workers to be returned to work.

In a press briefing in a Murang’a hotel, Tuesday, the officials said the court of appeal on April 12, stayed orders which were made by the High court previously that the workers should be reinstated.

They requested the governor to respect the judgment and the constitution and return the workers back to their jobs.

“We expected Waiguru to reinstate the sacked workers to their jobs. This was directed by the Court of Appeal after the Kirinyaga county administration appealed against the ruling of the High court,” said Dr. James Githinji, chairman of KMPDU, Central region branch.

According to the court’s judgement, the chairman said the county government is supposed to bring back the workers and pay them all arrears.

“The sacked health workers have undergone difficulties, depression, some have passed on and we want the governor to obey and do as what the court has directed,” added the doctor.

Githinji further accused the governor of failing to address challenges facing health workers in his county.

He noted the number of doctors is too low compared to the requirements set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“The whole county of Kirinyaga has 72 doctors. Those sacked were 33. This means the ratio of a doctor to patient is 1:8,500 which is against WHO recommended ratio of one doctor to 1, 000 patients,” added Githinji.

The chairman further called Waiguru’s administration to pay the workers their month of March salaries.

“In all the five counties in the central region, it’s only in Kirinyaga where the workers are yet to receive their March salary. Let Waiguru seek funds like other governors and pay the workers,” he added.

His words were echoed by KMPDU treasurer Dr. Caroline Mwaura who said since Wairguru took office in 2017, no health worker has been promoted.

She divulged that the workers are demotivated and overworked, accusing the county administration of failing to improve working conditions of the health workers.

“It’s unfortunate, no health worker has been promoted since Waiguru took office. The governor has scattered the unions in his county and denied the health workers their right of association. In other counties, workers are members of various unions and the unions are not enemies of any administration,” averred Mwaura.

She asked the governor to convene a meeting with various unions to discuss how to improve the welfare of the workers.

Assistant general secretary of KNUN Lucy Wambui said Kirinyaga has about 400 nurses saying since they work in shifts, the nurses in the county are overwhelmed.

Wambui said during Waiguru’s first term, 188 nurses were sacked, and unfortunately one has already passed on.

“We appreciate the development Waiguru is doing in her county, but ignoring health matters, is a big problem. You cannot have development without a healthy society. Let the governor adhere to the court's order and return those who were sacked back to work,” she added.

Courtesy K.N.A