County suspends two nurses at Kericho County Referral Hospital

Kericho Governor Erick Mutai. [File, Standard]

Two nurses who allegedly facilitated the deployment of three nurse imposters at the Kericho County Referral Hospital have been suspended.

Speaking at the hospital, Governor Erick Mutai stated that the suspended nurses had, through the locum program-a system where a nurse temporarily fills in for another-allowed the imposters to work without notifying the relevant authorities, including their supervisors.

"I have ordered the County Health Chief Officer to commence disciplinary action immediately and suspend all the nurses involved pending a full investigation. This may result in their dismissal," he said.

In response to the incident, the Governor banned the locum program at the Kericho County Referral Hospital and all other public medical centers within the county.

"Locum arrangements will no longer be accepted. Our healthcare workers are required to be at their designated health facilities for 40 hours. Any necessary adjustments must be arranged within the existing pool of staff to prevent unauthorized individuals from working in our health facilities," said Mutai.

To enhance security and accountability, Governor Mutai directed the hospital management to ensure that all healthcare workers are issued with identification badges displaying their names for easy identification.

"Doctors, nurses, and clinicians must wear appropriate uniforms as prescribed by their respective regulatory bodies," he said

The governor also directed that Biometric systems be installed at all county health facilities to monitor attendance and working hours.

"I have instructed the County Health Chief Executive Officer to begin the installation of biometric systems immediately to track staff attendance and ensure proper service delivery," said Mutai.

Additionally, Governor Mutai directed that intern doctors and nurses must be cleared from the facility immediately after completing their internship, and should only be allowed to work at the hospital if officially recruited.

"Once they have finished their internship, they should no longer be at the facility unless they have been formally employed to continue their services," he said.