Crisis is looming in Nakuru county following a notice of end of contracts for healthcare workers of different cadres who were on casual basis.

The move taken by the county government of Nakuru will affect 538 medical staff and 244 clerks and drivers.

The notice undersigned by Nakuru County Chief Officer for medical services Dr. John Murima, states that engagement of all Hospital Technical staff engaged on short term basis ends on June 30, 2023.

Mtaa Wangu has learnt that the short contracts for healthcare workers were for three months effective April 1, 2023.

Though the notice states that the County Government will declare the positions through the County Public Service Board for applications to be made, the same is yet to be done even as the clock ticks towards June 30, 2023 raising numerous questions.

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika in a previous tour of Nakuru Referral hospital

Photo credit: MTAA WANGU

In addition, reliable sources have it that already the County Government through a communication from Governor Susan Kihika has requested every elected member of County Assembly of Nakuru to submit three eligible persons to fill the positions.

in her inauguration speech, on August 25, 2022 Governor Kihika said, "health care workers serving on contract basis will be confirmed as permanent and pensionable."

This has seen healthcare workers among them nurses, doctors and Clinical officers whose contracts are ending raise questions as to why the recruitment of healthcare workers is being undertaken politically rather than through the right legal procedure.

Related: Negligence Reports Darken Kihika's Shiny Health Promises

After raising their grievances without an address from the county government, the healthcare workers at Nakuru County Referral Hospital on Wednesday took to the streets in peaceful demonstrations.

Carrying placards with messages such as Act on your promise Madam Governor’, they matched from the facility’s Administration block to the main gate before addressing journalists.

Led by Keziah Vugutsa, they termed the move by the county government of Nakuru inhumane adding that the contracted healthcare workers have served tirelessly the high level facility in the county for more than 5 years even during the COVID-19 pandemic where some even contracted the virus in line of duty.

Keziah Vugutsa one of the contracted hospital staff at PGH speaks to journalists on June 28, 2023.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA| MTAA WANGU

Ironically Governor Susan Kihika, on one of the visits at the facility, Keziah reveals, promised contracted healthcare workers that they will be employed on a permanent basis.

We have worked in this facility on contract basis for a longer period even during the strikes and COVID-19 pandemic. When Governor Kihika was elected, she came to this facility and promised us permanent jobs. We are surprised that what we are getting is termination of our contracts,” says Keziah.

It should be noted that almost three quarters of the staff at Nakuru County Referral Hospital have been working on contract basis.

Nixon Okilo- who will be affected by the end of contract notice admits that the move taken by the county government of Nakuru will put the healthcare services into crisis.

According to him, if the county government shall not address their grievances, they will be moving to court to seek legal address.

Read: Was Kihika's promise to community health volunteers a mere populist statement?

“The healthcare services in this county are headed in the wrong direction and we are calling on Governor Kihika to intervene. If nothing is done, we shall seek legal mechanisms,” said Nixon.

Nakuru county governance activists led by Asumpta Wangui joined the demonstrations with calls on Governor Susan Kihika to keep her promise concerning healthcare workers in the county.

Assumpta Wangui addressing the media outside PGH on June 28, 2023.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA| MTAA WANGU

She faulted Governor Kihika for taking healthcare issues politically by allowing MCAs to submit names of individuals who will fill the positions left by the contracted healthcare workers.

“I want to tell Governor Kihika that she has taken the healthcare issue politically and that is where the problem is,” said Asumpta.

Our efforts to reach Health CEC Jacqueline Osoro and the chief officer Dr Murima were futile as calls and texts went unanswered.

pmambili@gmail.com

Over 780 Nakuru casual hospital workers to lose their jobs, despite Kihika's promise

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Pristone Mambili