A looming crisis is set to hit 11 counties across Kenya as the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued a strike notice due to delays in paying July and August salaries.
The union's warning follows what it describes as an alarming failure by county governments to explain the delayed payments, exacerbating frustrations among healthcare workers.
The affected counties include Lamu, Kakamega, Taita Taveta, Garissa, Meru, Isiolo, Marsabit, Kirinyaga, Samburu, Nakuru, and Mandera.
According to KMPDU, if these counties do not resolve the salary issues within the next few days, the healthcare sector in these regions could grind to a halt, endangering the delivery of critical medical services.
In addition to the strike notice, KMPDU has also issued a 14-day ultimatum to the county governments of Nandi and Mombasa.
The union is demanding the immediate release of March and April salaries that were withheld during a previous strike, despite a court order mandating their payment.
The union has expressed its deep frustration over the counties’ non-compliance with the court’s directive.
Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday, KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Atellah criticized both the county and national governments for their inaction.
Dr Atellah stated that the failure to implement a return-to-work formula agreed upon earlier was supposed to address the payment of basic salary arrears accumulated over the past seven years.
"The money ought to have been paid in July and August, but nothing has been done yet. The counties have written letters claiming they have not received the funds from the national government," Dr Atellah stated.
"We have been patient, but our patience must not be confused for comfort. We are going to sue the government for contempt, and we are ready to go back and demand these monies."
Months ago, the Council of Governors led by Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru asked the Treasury to release funds to devolved units on time so that they can offset pending bills and settle salaries for employees under county governments.
