Governor Wilberforce Ottichillo’s administration has been dealt a blow after a court-ordered it to pay over 500 health workers Sh280 million in salaries. This is after 76 workers successfully convinced the court to order for payment of their dues pending the hearing and determination of the suit they lodged to challenge their dismissal.
Yesterday, Employment and Labour Relations Judge Nduma Nderi directed that the workers be paid for the period they have been in service.
“I direct that the workers be paid their salaries from the day they started working pending the hearing and determination of this suit,” said Nderi.
The clinical officers moved to the court after they were sent packing by the County Public Service Board over claims that they were irregularly employed.
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They had sought for eight orders, including a stay of letters of termination.
In earlier proceedings, the clinicians told the court that they served in various health facilities across Vihiga County after they were appointed in May.
But they were yet to receive pay despite services they rendered to residents and were only “awarded” with sack letters.
They accused Ottichillo’s administration of violating several articles of the Constitution in the process of terminating their employment.
The clinicians claimed that they had similar terms of employment and were to serve as permanent and pensionable employees after completing six months of probation.
