Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has announced that the county will withhold salaries from healthcare workers who have been on strike. The decision was made after a cabinet meeting concluded that remuneration should not be provided for work not performed.
Governor Nyong’o considers healthcare workers who have been absent from duty as absconders and, in accordance with the labour relations act, believes they are not entitled to any payments. He has directed both the County Secretary and the public service board to take necessary action in this regard.
“In accordance with the Labour Relations Act, the county will not provide remuneration forwork not performed. Therefore, healthcare workers who have not been present at their designated workplace and have withdrawn their services will not be remunerated for the corresponding period,” Nyong’o said in a statement on Thursday.
Additionally, the county is urgently seeking to hire doctors on short-term contracts at JOOTRH to fill the gap caused by the strike. These measures aim to ensure continuous service delivery in the health sector for the well-being of county residents.
Governor Nyong’o emphasizes that the county remains committed to addressing the grievances of healthcare workers through constructive dialogue. He notes that Kisumu County has already met the majority of the demands made by the striking doctors, including employing doctors, providing comprehensive medical schemes, facilitating further studies, and promoting them.
“We have always made extra efforts to pay salaries on time with contingency plans in place whenever funds are not received in time from the national treasury. A circular has been issued for all staff to access Mortgage and Car Loan Schemes,” Nyongo said, adding that posting of interns is beyond the county government.
The ongoing doctors’ strike, which has lasted nearly a month, has disrupted services in public hospitals, with other medical professionals such as clinical officers and nurses also joining the strike. Despite efforts to resolve the impasse, healthcare workers, represented by bodies like the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), remain steadfast in their demands until they are met.
