Health care workers in Kisumu write protest letter to County Government

Representatives of Healthcare Workers address the media in Kisumu where they disclosed the protest letter they have written to the County Government of Kisumu over various issues affecting them as healthcare workers in Kisumu County-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo
 

By Dickson Odhiambo

July 15, 2021

Health care workers in Kisumu write protest letter to County Government

A NUMBER of health care workers in Kisumu through their various Unions have written a protest letter to the County Government of Kisumu in what they have termed as dilatory and apathetic manner in which the government is handling various outstanding issues on health matters.

In a letter dated July 14,2021 to the County Secretary through the Chief officer of Health at the County Government of Kisumu, the health workers from nurses, clinical officers and lab technicians want to know the reason as to why the county Government has illegally withhold salaries of a section of health care workers as well as delaying payment of salaries.

Addressing the press in Kisumu where they read the content of the letter, the health care workers led by the Kenyan National Union of Nurses, Kenya Union of Clinical Officers, KNUPT AND KNUMLO also complained of non-remittance of deductions, particularly non statutory deductions such as bank loans, insurance premiums, union dues and others as well as delayed payment of statutory deductions.

Secretary of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers Kisumu Branch Craus Okumu who read the letter on behalf of other health workers unions claims that there is also blatant and illegal refusal to pay leave and uniform allowances to a section of health workers.

“There is intimidation and non-procedural disciplinary actions being taken against healthcare workers including union officials as well as outstanding promotions and re-designations of a section of healthcare workers that were due but left out in the last circle of promotion,” part of the letter reads.

They also claim in the letter that there is delayed issuance personal numbers to employees who have served for prerequisite period.

They want the County Government of Kisumu to move with speed and address the issues raised so as to avoid eminent industrial action by failing to act promptly.