Munya tells striking Meru health workers to resume work or face disciplinary action
Meru Governor Munya speaks in his office on September 2, 2015. He told striking health workers to go back to work or face disciplinary action. With him is county secretary Julius Kimathi PHOTO | DAVID MUCHUI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- On Wednesday, the workers who carried twigs and posters went round Meru Town paralysing business.
- However, Mr Munya said the county has taken contingency measures to ensure health care services run smoothly.
- He said the county government would only address genuine issues once the workers are back to their stations.
- North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood called for the establishment of a health workers' commission to ease service delivery.
Striking health workers in Meru County have been ordered to return to work immediately or face disciplinary action for absconding duty.
Governor Peter Munya said the medics have not shown any credible reason for downing their tools.
Addressing the press in his office, Mr Munya said the county government had not received any notice from the health workers who went on strike Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the workers who carried twigs and posters went round Meru Town paralysing business.
Services at public hospitals especially the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital were also paralysed.
However, Mr Munya said the county has taken contingency measures to ensure health care services run smoothly.
(READ: Meru health workers go on strike)
“Meru County health workers were paid on August 30 and September 1 hence the grievance of salary delays holds no water.
“We have promoted 89 health workers and other 107 are being evaluated. Promotion is done once an individual applies.
“We see no reason for the workers to strike. We take this as absconding duty and disciplinary action will be taken if they do not return to work tomorrow,” Mr Munya said.
He said the county government would only address genuine issues once the workers are back to their stations.
“Any health worker who feels he is better serving under the National Government, let them apply and we will recommend them.
“Most of the striking workers were recently seconded to the county by the National Government. We can give the jobs to many others who are jobless,” the governor said.
The Council of Governors chairman, however, accused the National Government of delaying in handing over personnel information to the county governments leading to delays in promotions.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
“We received our personnel information from the Ministry of Health in May.
“Some counties are yet to receive the personnel information hence (they) cannot evaluate workers to effect promotions.
“We are therefore asking the Ministry of Health to release the personnel information forthwith,” he said.
Mr Munya said there have been tremendous improvement in the health sector since devolution.
He claimed that there are plans to take back the level five hospitals back to the National Governments by individuals who are against devolution.
He said there are plans to take back the management of Coast General Hospital to the National Government and rename it Pwani National Referral Hospital.
“The plan is being orchestrated by retrogressive people who feel they erred in devolving health. These are difficult times but we are ready to provide functional health services.
“We call for patience from the public as we are grappling with teething problems,” Mr Munya said.
He added that efforts by counties to seal loopholes and improve services have caused jitters among those opposed to devolution.
Speaking to the striking medics, North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood called for the establishment of a health workers' commission to ease service delivery.
He accused the county government of failing in health service delivery.
