MP vows to push for return of management of health sector to national government

Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP Muthomi Njuki (right) and Tharaka-Nithi KNun Branch Secretary Kenneth Micheni in the past. Mr Njuki and Tharaka Nithi woman representative Beatrice Nkatha have urged residents to register as voters in large numbers. FILE PHOTO | ALEX NJERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • He said the Transition Authority should not end its tenure before recommending that the health sector be handled by the national government.
  • He called for the investigation of the county payroll department which he said could be paying ghost workers.
  • County Chief Health Officer Walter Mutegi has maintained that the strike is illegal and asked nurses to resume duty.
  • Knun Tharaka-Nithi Branch Secretary Kenneth Micheni maintained that the strike would continue until all their demands are fulfilled.

Chuka/Igambang’ombe Member of Parliament Muthomi Njuki has vowed to lobby his colleagues in Parliament to have the health sector reverted to the national government.

Mr Njuki said the numerous strikes by medical workers were a clear indication of the inability by county governments to handle such a crucial docket.

The MP, who addressed striking medical workers at the Chuka Level Five Hospital on Thursday, accused some county governments of neglecting the medics.

“It is clear that this sector is wrongly placed and Parliament should not bury its head in the sand and assume everything is alright,” said Mr Njuki.

“I am going to lobby other MPs to raise the issue as a national concern because the county governments must be responsible,” he added.

He said the Transition Authority should not end its tenure before recommending that the health sector be handled by the national government.

THINGS BETTER BEFORE DEVOLUTION

Before devolution, the legislator claimed, workers were paid on time despite the small budget the government was working with.

“Failing to give personal numbers, pay slips, remitting of statutory deductions to workers is a serious joke,” said Mr Njuki.

He called for the investigation of the county payroll department which he said could be paying ghost workers.

“I suspect failure to give pay slips and other personal documents to the workers could be a way of stealing from them and there is need for investigation,” he said.

He accused the county of remaining silent even as the strike entered the fourth day.

Kenya National Union of Nurses (Knun) Tharaka-Nithi branch Secretary Kenneth Micheni maintained that the strike would continue until all their demands are met.

County Chief Health Officer Walter Mutegi has maintained that the strike is illegal and asked nurses to resume duty.