More than five hundred Garissa health workers over the weekend took to the streets protesting over the alleged failure by the county government to address their welfare.
The health workers drawn from over 15 cadres like clinical officers, radiologists, laboratory technicians, health records staff, farm technicians, nutritionists, bio medics, mortuary attendants and social workers, were demanding allowances, promotions and to be employed on permanent terms.
The workers led by the representative of Kenya Health Professional Society Garissa chapter Gerald Njoroge said they were saddened by the manner in which the county government was ignoring their grievances.
The workers marched from Garissa County Referral Hospital to the governor’s office and demanded that they be addressed by Governor Nathif Jama.
Njoroge said the county health sector had critical issues that had stayed for far too long without being addressed by the government.
“Our members were told to ask the county, not national government, to pay our allowances. We want the county government to address what is affecting the health sector,” he said.
Governor Jama after holding a meeting with the workers’ officials said his administration will address the issues affecting the health workers.
The governor further said they had agreed on the formula that would be used to address their various financial concerns saying there was a recent communication from Treasury to that effect.
“We will address the issues that have been raised by the health workers which include unpaid allowances, promotions and confirmation of employment among others,” said Jama.