Medical services paralysed in Meru after medics down tools

Elgeyo Marakwet County nurses protest delayed salaries. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard]

Medical services in Meru County have been paralyzed after Clinical officers joined the nurses on an indefinite county strike.

The officers downed their tools on Thursday, November 17, three days after the nurses went on strike.

According to the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers Secretary-General George Gibore, the services will resume once their demands are met.

"The County government is ignoring our demands. Therefore, we will continue with the strike until they are met," said Gibore while addressing journalists at the Meru County Referral Hospital.

On November 3, the Union issued a 14-day strike notice to the County government after several failed attempts to resolve the issues amicably.

In the letter, Gibore accused the Meru County government of disregarding the law and the needs of its workers.

The County had up to November 15 to respond, failure to which the officers would take industrial action.

According to Gibore, the County Government failed to act on any actions thus forcing them to down their tools.

Among the issues they want to be resolved promptly include a shortage of clinical officers and unlawful and indefinite disciplinary procedures, lack of promotions, among others.

The strike is happening at a time when the Meru County Government risks being dissolved as the wrangles between Governor Mwangaza and Members of the County Assembly heighten.

Additional reporting by Edwin Gitonga