Governor exchanges bitter words with Busia health workers

Busia, Kenya: Drama unfolded in Busia town when area Governor Sopeter Ojaamong' and County health workers exchanged bitter words outside the Governor’s office over the state of health in the county and alleged delayed salaries.

The health workers, who complained of salary arrears for the month of July, complained of the county Government's raw deal that has seen them being promised of already paid salaries.

The health workers told off the Governor’s sentiments saying that they are just but a sham as they had confirmed checking their bank accounts but did not get any pay.

The chair lady Kenya Progressive Nurses Association Judy Mbanda lamented that despite the delay, they are also subjected to deplorable working conditions without proper infrastructure at the facilities and unavailability of essential commodities like gloves.

 The ravage angered the governor who threatened to sack the health workers who participated in the demonstration.

“It is a technical problem that shall be solved because we are sure that the salaries were sent. I have the money to pay you people. Everyone will be paid the July salary.” The governor said.

He charged: “You have choices to make, if you want to work with the County Government, work with us. But you have an option to resign also. If you want to imagine that you are so much important, let it be.”

However, the managers from four banks (National, Cooperative, Barclays and KCB) who were called at the governor’s office to clear the air confirmed that the health workers were paid on Friday.

“It is a technical problem at the banks because we had already submitted the salaries as the County Government; it was not our fault but the banks’.” Ojaamong cited.

He accused those who led the health workers in the demonstration of causing deaths in the hospitals and said that they should be charged with murder and manslaughter.

The four health workers leaders accused of misleading the rest and disorder had to record statements at the Busia Police Station.

On Friday over 150 health workers from Busia Refferal hospital on evening downed their tools and embarked on a peaceful march to the Governor’s Sospeter office demanding to know why their July salary had been delayed.

A spot check done by The Standard at the Busia Referral Hospital Friday morning revealed that the patients were not being attended to since Thursday evening.