Fired doctors' pay was too high, says governor

Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi when he appeared before the Senate County Public Accounts and Investment Committee at Parliament

Specialist doctors fired by the Laikipia County Government were already on higher salaries compared to other professionals in the same job group, Governor Ndiritu Muriithi has said.

Yesterday, the governor termed their pay rise demands as unrealistic.

Mr Muriithi said a doctor in Job Group 'N' earns Sh237,000 while a structural engineer/architect in the same job group takes home Sh61,000 every month.

He added that a doctor in Job Group 'R' earns Sh429,000 while a structural engineer/architect is paid Sh120,000.

Muriithi said specialists normally do rounds in hospital wards for a few hours then move to operate their private clinics hence their pay increase demand was not justified.

“There was no problem with medical officers because they have been promoted. The problem is the specialists. Most have clinics and pharmacies, and the citizens feel there is a conflict of interest,” he added. 

On Friday, the governor sacked 61 doctors who he said had been on an illegal strike for the last three weeks.

The doctors claimed the county had failed to promote them and increase their pay despite their academic progression.

“We all wish we could be paid more, but there is also what is realistic for us to pay,” the governor had said after dismissal letters were issued.