Union threatens to sue Nakuru governor for terminating contracts of clinical officers

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika when she appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Investments and Special Funds Committee at KICC in Nairobi on July 4, 2023. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

"The challenges facing contracted workers cut across all the cadres. This has inconvenienced the workers so much. We supported the governor when she said she wanted to harmonize terms of employment and that all the health workers would be employed on permanent and pensionable terms. However, we are surprised at how fast things have changed. Instead, the health workers are being replaced," Wachira said.

He dismissed the claim that the governor is trying to streamline the health docket saying; "If that is the case, why did she go ahead to employ workers without advertising the positions as required by the law?"

Wachara blamed the stalemate on alleged interference which he said is the root cause of the mess in the county's health sector.

Only 88 nurses and one pharmacy officer were retained from the previous lot.

Wachira accused the county government of discriminating against some health officers even as a shortage continues to persist.

"This trend where health workers are employed on contract will eventually plunge the county's health sector into a major crisis. No specialist will be willing to get into that kind of arrangement," said Wachira.

Many skilled personnel

Ms Rose Masta, from the nurses' union in Nakuru, lamented that Nakuru Level Five Hospital has lost many skilled personnel, which is compromising services.

"Let us not be selfish. Instead of appreciating nurses for the work they have done, including fighting Covid-19, we are terminating them. This has pushed a number of them into depression," said Masta.

Ms Mary Boniface, the national treasurer of KUCO, said: "Healthcare sector cannot function without the health officers."

Mrs Boniface said employers are disengaging the workers rather than lobbying for more to improve service delivery. "We are calling for Ms Kihika to reinstate the workers."