Murang'a: Scores of health workers employed under the Universal Health Care (UHC) programme in Murang'a County have threatened to halt their services if their grievances are not addressed.
According to Kenya News Agency, the medics have decried neglect by the Ministry of Health despite working for five years without being absorbed on a permanent basis.
The workers, who staged a demonstration in Murang'a town, complained of being paid only half of the salary compared to their counterparts employed by the county government. Led by the national chairman of the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUN), Joseph Ngwasi, the workers expressed frustration over unfulfilled promises despite several attempts to present their grievances to the Ministry of Health.
Ngwasi noted that medics under the UHC programme are suffering in counties and feel abandoned by the government. He highlighted the disparity in pay, stating that UHC workers earn roughly Sh40,000, while those under the county government earn Sh108,000. Ngwasi also expressed concerns over the recent reduction of budget allocation for healthcare, urging parliament to allocate necessary funds to absorb the medics on a permanent basis.
One of the medics, Wanjiru Kihara, stated that they have been serving diligently at county health facilities, contributing significantly to healthcare provision. She called for the government to pay their gratuity and absorb them into permanent positions, noting that colleagues at level 6 facilities have already been employed on permanent terms.
Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata addressed the striking UHC medics, acknowledging the challenges they face. He emphasized that the issue affects other counties as well and can only be resolved if the national government enables counties to absorb the workers into permanent terms. Kang'ata assured the workers that he will present their grievances to the Council of Governors and petition the national government for conditional grants to address the issue.