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The union for health workers has protested delays by counties to pay their members November salaries.
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary-General Dr Ouma Oluga protested that by yesterday, county governments were yet to pay, some even October salaries.
"Today is December 23 and county governments are yet to pay health workers their November salaries when Kenyans have received December pay. Few have not yet paid even October salaries. And health workers are expected to keep working and celebrate Christmas and New Year normally," Dr Oluga wrote on Twitter yesterday.
And in Murang’a, health workers boycotted duty for several hours yesterday as they protested over delayed November salaries. They took back treatment cards from patients at Murang’a district hospital.
The health workers mobilised colleagues from other facilities and picked representatives to present their grievances to Murang’a County Government.
Murang’a is one of the counties that had not received money from The National Treasury over unpaid bills.
In their complaints, they detailed their suffering over the prolonged delay of their salaries saying they would be not be able to celebrate Christmas and New Year festivities.
An employee said they have not been able to access proper treatment as their health cover by NHIF does not cover some conditions.
“It has been chaotic going for weeks without money to provide food and shelter to our families,” said a health worker.
However, Murang’a County Health and Sanitation Executive Committee Member Joseph Mbai said the salaries have been wired to their bank accounts.
“There has been a delay from The National Treasury to remit money to the counties. The employees have agreed to return to work as they have been assured their money has reflected in their accounts,” said Mbai.
In a notice to all health workers dated December 23, Mbai said the money should be reflecting soon.
It read in part: “Kindly note that the salaries (were) remitted to your accounts last week on Friday. In this case the money should be reflecting in your bank accounts by either today or tomorrow (December 24).”
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