Meru County, health workers’ unions stand their ground

The county government and the unions maintained their hardline stands as workers strike entered its third day Thursday.

Health Secretary William Muraah says the four unions representing the 1,600 medics did not serve them with strike notices on August 17.

Governor Peter Munya responded: "We have absolutely no information on why the workers are on strike because we had paid all salaries by September 1."

However, copies of strike notice letters produced by the unions show they were served to the officers of Chief Officer of Health, County Secretary and the County Public Service Board (CPSB). Despite the revelation, the county government will not budge.

"A stamp does not necessarily mean that the letter was received at the office and we challenge anyone to prove otherwise," Dr Muraah said.

Munya said the county was relying on the media to know what the medics' grievances are.

But Kenya Clinical Officers Association Meru branch chairman Wilson Namu said the county officials were being dishonest because the notices were hand delivered and acknowledged by stamping.

Other unions whose members are participating in the industrial action are the Kenya National Union of Nurses, the Association of Medical Lab Officers and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Union.

The accused the county government of failing to manage the human resource in the health sector. They have more than 10 grievances.

Determined not to lose in the war of words, the county administration alleged that corruption cartels that had a stranglehold in the sector are fighting back through the unions, especially after an audit at the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital discovered massive fraud and waste of public resources.

"We are investigating some officers after claims of a Sh3 million fraud on the National Hospital Insurance Fund was unearthed," said Munya.

He said daily collections at the hospital had hit Sh300,000 and projections were that a staggering Sh6 million was previously being lost every month.

Munya said the 1,000 workers who are seeking delayed promotions must apply to be considered by CPSB. The unions maintain that nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory technologists and clinical officers are eligible for automatic promotions after every three years.

Munya shot back saying CPSB has promoted 89 workers; 47 doctors, 24 pharmacists, nine nurses and eight public health officers.