The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Kisumu branch has condemned the county government’s move to issue cheques to health workers as a means to get rid of ghost workers.
The issuing of cheques which was to take place today at Jaramogi Oginga Teaching and Referral Hospital was put to a halt after the union warned health workers not to collect cheques from the county government.
The Union's head Ken Opetu said the county government did not involve the nurses’ union in decision making.
"The county government did not involve us as the stalk holders in the decision to issues cheques," said Opetu.
He added, "It is against the employment act and we are against it as an association. We are going to mobilise our members not to pick those cheques," he added.
Opetu said the payment system by cheques will affect both the salaries and payments of loans by the health workers and instructed the county government to use the biometric registration system.
"There are several ways the county government can use to clear ghost workers but not using our salaries," said Opetu.