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Operations at the Murang'a District Hospital came to a halt after health workers downed their tools over delayed salaries and poor working conditions.
Patients, especially those referred from rural health centres, were left unattended as the workers vowed not to return to work until their demands are addressed.
They demonstrated to the county government headquarters seeking audience with Governor Mwangi wa Iria, saying casual workers were last paid in June.
They accused the hospital administration of giving them a raw deal and lacking effective communication avenues to raise issues affecting service delivery.
The protesting employees also claimed the county government had failed to remit their statutory deductions to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and to their saccos.
Laboratory technicians claimed that the county had not for three weeks supplied reagents.
Casuals engaged at the health facility decried of 'low' payment of Sh400 per day claiming that other casuals in other departments earned Sh460.
A team led by County Secretary Patrick Mukuria and Health Chief Officer Joseph Mbai addressed the striking workers and apologised over the delayed salaries promising to pay by today.
"We have problems at the National Treasury but all has been sorted and all systems are geared towards paying the salaries on time," said Mr Mukuria.
He said some issues were to be immediately sorted out by the Human Resources Department while others required dialogue.
The striking employees also detailed lack of essential drugs at the facility forcing patients to buy the same.
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