Clinical officers in Kisii down their tools over delayed salaries

More than 400 clinical officers in Kisii County have downed tools to demand two months' salary arrears.

The clinical officers' union officials who spoke to The Standard in Kisii town yesterday said their members will stay away from work until the county government releases the pay.

The union's Kisii branch executive secretary Victor Bwanchete accused the county government of failing to honour a promise to pay them, even as they laboured to fight coronavirus.

“It is unfair that clinical officers who are providing essential services during this critical moment stay up to two months without getting their salaries yet they are supposed to be motivated to ensure that locals are safe from Covid-19 and other diseases,” said Mr Bwanchete.

He said the branch officials held a meeting with Kisii Governor James Ongwae last week, with the latter promising to ensure they were paid.

Kisii County Health CEC Sarah Omache said they were having challenges paying salaries of all county employees since the national Treasury was yet to disburse money.