Clinical officers hit out at Kiambu governor over poor work terms

Any resumption of duty by clinical officers will only happen if their demands are addressed comprehensively, the medics have reiterated.

Speaking in Nairobi at the weekend, the clinical officers maintained that the ongoing industrial strike is occasioned by the collapse of all other dispute resolution mechanisms.

In fact the medics turned their ire on the County Government of Kiambu, labelling it among the devolved units with the worst and irregular contractual employment terms for health-workers.

Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) officials said the County is one of those that had subjected their members to a quarter pay of Sh18, 000 to Sh35, 000 for more than five years.

Anchored in law

Union Secretary General, George Gibore (pictured)yesterday called on the Salaries Remuneration Commission (SRC) to come up with a standard remuneration mechanism that is predictable, arguing that it is anchored in law.

“Clinical officers shall not resume duty until you resume and conclude the CBA, absorb all contracted clinical officers on permanent and pensionable establishment, enlist them on a comprehensive medical cover among other demands presented,” he said.

The union reminded Kiambu governor Kimani Wamatangi, that there is no court order directing clinical officers to resume duty in Kiambu County. “He is the one in contempt of court and should therefore purge that contempt before calling on clinical officers to end the strike which he necessitated,” Gibore said, tasking Wamatangi to live within the principles of justice.

“..... that your hands must be clean before approaching the table of justice; your hands are not clean,” he added.

Last Friday, the Kiambu Governor announced that his county will halt salary payments to any striking doctor, as well as any other health practitioners that are not at work.

He even hinted that his government will announce new vacancies that will need to be filled immediately.

And while responding to calls by a number of stakeholders especially the clergy and Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Special Programs to embrace dialogue and resume duty as negotiations continue, the medics dismissed them, saying they were contributors to the stalemate.