Medics strike, seek better working conditions

Health workers in Baringo County downed tools yesterday to demand better working conditions. 

The doctors, nurses, clinical officers, nutritionists and laboratory technicians kept off their work stations after the expiry of a 14 days' strike notice on Sunday.

The medics, under Kenya Health Professionals Society, accused the county government of failure to address their safety and welfare in the discharge of duty.

They also want the county to address promotions, confirmation, re-designation, shortage of health workers and supply of Personal Protective Equipment.

The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers county secretary Philip Yator said efforts to have the grievances addressed were futile.

Mr Yator said the county did not honour a letter by Council of Governors (CoG) directing it to dialogue with union representatives to avert the strike.

According to a letter written by CoG Chief Executive Jacqueline Mogeni, counties public service boards were to convene meetings with respective union representatives and address promotion and redesignations.

The Baringo County's public service board chair was expected to submit current status on promotions and re-designation to CoG by September 4. “Chairpersons to follow-up on the implementation matrix for the doctors' collective bargaining agreement and establish the status on the progress for implementation,” reads the letter.

Contacted, the county health executive Mary Panga said they are engaging the medics to end the strike. “The county and county public service board are meeting health employees to address issues raised,” said Ms Panga.