Waiguru fires health workers

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has dismissed County striking medics after they declined to resume duties. [File, Standard]

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has dismissed striking health workers after they defied a court order to resume duty Monday at noon.

The affected medics should collect their dismissal letters from their former work stations.

The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nyeri had declared their strike illegal and unprotected.

Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Board Union (KMPDU) Central Kenya secretary Gor Goody said their members did not resume duty as they were preparing to challenge the court's order at the appellate court.

Dr Goody said they will not relent in their push for better terms of service, including promotions and employment of more personnel to address staff shortage.

“The outcome of the case was not to our expectations hence the urgent need to proceed to the Court of Appeal," Goody said.

The secretary said some members had agreed to resume duty but the majority refused until all issues they raised are addressed.

Senator Charles Kibiru, who had been appointed to arbitrate the dispute, said he was in a dilemma after the health workers declined to report to work as ordered by the court.